
Glass 
Book 



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A POEM, 



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IN SIX BOOKS. 



B Y JOSEPH, E VE. 




Uttuttats: 



PRINTED AT THE CHRONICLE AND ADVERTISER OFFICE. 

1823. 









Cops=BCuSt Suuvrtr, 



4&i 



TO THE READER. 



Presuming that it will be readily conceded, that it af- 
fords no small satisfaction to a reader when he engages in 
the perusal of a work, to be possessed of some information 
relative to its general drift and principles, and the object 
the author has in view in obtruding his sentiments on the 
public, the following extract from the Georgia Advertiser, 
is subjoined as containing a concise, but a sufficiently ex- 
plicit elucidation of the motives of the author, and the prin- 
ciples of the Poem to which it relates. 

" This Poem is in six books, of from three to five hun- 
dred lines each. The author's object seems to be to com- 
bat that erroneous sentiment which the melancholy specu- 
lations of minds of gloomy sensibility have inculcated, that 
the miseries of human life so far overbalance its enjoy- 
ments, that existence itself is not a blessing, nor its continu- 
ance to be desired. Mr. Eve in his Poem, attempts to 
show, and we believe, pretty successfully, that there are 
sufficient grounds of comfort in all the diversified stations 
of life, sufficient sources of consolation in the midst of con- 
flicts and difficulties, to demonstrate the truth of the title he 
has chosen for his Poem, that it is " better to be." He 



4 TO THE READEK. 

endeavours to show, that Providence, in continuing indi- 
viduals in existence, forms a more accurate estimate of hu- 
man happiness than those churlish beings do, who, in the 
midst of countless blessings, can find nothing worth living 
for : Mr. Eve takes a survey of human life in all its sta- 
ges — of science in all its branches — of busines in all its ac- 
tivity— -of creation in all its sublimity and beauty, and un- 
der various views, and many animated descriptions, he en- 
deavours clearly to show, that the life of man, with all its 
vicissitudes, has a balance of happiness greatly in its favor**' 



TO MY CHILDREN, 



O ! might I hope, my unambitious lays, 
That would be useful, but that ask not prais^ 
-Could on your minds, indelibly impress, 
The sentiments they've labour'd to express : 
O ! may they teach you Nature's Book to read. 
From false opinions, prejudices freed ; 
Then, from the right direction of your mind, 
In every object you'll some pleasure find, 
And see around, a thousand blessings flow, 
Which others share — but will not own they do • 

c 

You'll find this world by God's almighty hanc|. 
With every requisite for pleasure plann'd : 
That virtue heightens every bliss below, 
„ And softens or extracts the sting of wo : 
That every object which the senses greets, 
That offers good, solicits us with sweets;- 



t) TO MY CHILDREN. 

That pleasure's bribe, not the constraints of pain. 
Leads us to seek the means that life sustain ; 
That objects only tending to destroy 
Excite sensations that our hearts annoy ; 
That on the moral world, or physical, 
All good is pleasant — painful all that's ill ; 
And all the evils that mankind molest, 
Flow from God's general scheme of happiness : 
Cherish these sentiments, nor fear but they 
Shall gild with hope, and joy, life's devious way- 
May they to you be, as they've been to me, 
A charm to soften dark adversity ; 
That towards the last, makes life's flame brighter burn 
And its still evening, happier than its morn. 

Would you be blest— O ! learn to prize and know 
The countless blessings that around you flow ; 
Blest here — hereafter hoping to be blest — 
A livelier gratitude shall swell your breast ; 
With love ineffable, your hearts shall raise 
In aspirations of your Maker's praise. 



CONTENTS. 








PAGE, 


Introductory Observations, 


First Book, 


11 


Moral and Physical Evil, 


Second Book, 


29 


The Passions, 


Third Book, 


51 


Rational Recreations, 


Fourth Book, 


7S 


Diversities of Nature, 


Fifth Book, 


101 


Diversities of Life, 


Sixth Book ? 


121 


Postscript, 




142 



ERRATA. 

Page 38, Line 13, Read — As thou and hope still lighter make his chains. 
How great's the joy allied to pity's tear ! 
Men are dependant on their fellows' aid. 
Extract from sorrow, cordial drops of joy. 
When adverse fortune bears us down with ills. 
Bestrews our path with flowers of fancied goo<$. 
As if he sought to end a painful life. 
An aspiration of applanse — a sigh ! 
For noble* deeds excites a generous glow. 
And lights the blush of shame at aught that's low. 
Bid nature's fairest forms before us rise. 
Doth much attention from the curious claim. 
As facts require, an eulogy bestows. 
All these with many, scarce in fame less high. 
But Gothic rage — and superstition's ire. 
And each, alternate, gives to life a zest. 
If thou'rt an Agriculturalist — then 
Stalks on, awhile — then quits its mortal stage , 
The flocks and herds, adown the slopy hill 
Which its great Maker's mighty arm declares. 
And worlds on worlds continually arise ! — 
Next sultry summer pours his vivid rays 
And in full vigour nature's charms arrays 
The noon-tide walks, no more, our steps invite 



42, 
43, 


n 


10 

11 


48, 




5 


59, 


55 


20, 


60, 


v 


1 5 


61, 




16, 


61, 


,, 


19, 


70, 
70, 
85, 


5? 


1, 

2, 
11, 


89, 




18, 


95, 


51 


14, 


96, 




7, 


96, 


J3 


21, 


97, 


n 


^ 


98, 
106, 


11 


9, 
4, 


107, 


55 


15, 


112, 




3, 


112, 


» 


7, 


113, 




17, 


113, 


y 


18, 


114, 


B 


h 



f tttt t® Mt+ 



BOOK I. 



ARGUMENT 

OP 

BOOK I. 

The Subject proposed. Invocation. Inconsistencies in oar 
complaints of the miseries of life. Why Poets affect, rather, to 
paint the miseries of Life, than its blessings. Some reasons ad- 
duced for the universality of the opinion that evil predominates 
in the World. That evil exists is admitted, is co itingent, neces- 
sary, and productive of general good. Life a blessing. Senti- 
ent Beings crowded that greater numbers, may be blest. Hence 
partial evil arises from general good. Brutes, as well as Man 
the care of Heaven. Instances adduced of their Happiness. 
The blessings of Human Life instanced in the Life of a Goo* 
Man, 



M$tttV t® Mti 



BOOK FIRST. 



INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS, 

i 

NO more my muse, in fancy's flow'ry way, 
Shall chant the choral strain, or roundelay; 
Nor sing of Strephon's love, or Cynthia's charms — 
Ambition's triumphs — or of war's alarms ! 
Now, bordering on eternity's dread brink, 
Me it behoves, on what I am, to think ; 
While of this world a denizen, to know 
If man is destined, here, to weal, or woe; 
A presage forming, hence, of future bliss, 
By blessings, graciously, bestowed in this : 



14 BETTER TO BE. 

Age asks a serious song, where, happ'ly, meet 
Instructions sage — the useful and the sweet. 
Thus, morn and noon, the cheerful birds of day 
Chant their love strains, enliv'ning every spray ; 
But Philomel, the shades, of night, among, 
Begins her pensive, melancholy song. 

With reverential awe ! Eternal King ! 
" Thy ways to man," with trembling zeal I sing ; 
Thy aid, O Father ! deign not to deny — 
Strengthen my weakness, and my ¥|*nts supply* 

From non-existence quick'ned into life 
Mankind, with arrogant presumption rife, 
Dares to arraign his mighty Maker's plan, 
Who gave a w r orld of woe, to wretched man ! 

Methinks, if mis'ry were the gen'ral lot, 
A lengthen d life, with tears, were dearly bought 
And why this fond solicitude, and fear 
For what's so little worthy of our care ; 
Why should we cherish, with such fervid zeal, 



BETTER TO BE. 15 

A wretched being, rack'd on misery's wheel ? 
Is it the dread of death astounds our souls ? 
Or dark hereafter, that our wills controls, 
And makes us cling to life? — and yet its strange 
Those should fear death, who'd better by the change ; 
And those who have no future hope, or fear, 
Should still to life tenaciously adhere. 
Of fame, of fortune, friends, and health bereft, 
Let but a glim m 'ring ray of hope be left, 
And we submit to live: but hope once flown, 
We rush on death — by means too oft our own! 
Fearless of future ill, so hard our case, 
Though hell's grim tyrant stare us in the face ! 
Who know mankind, this truth will e'er aver, 
Pleasure may lure, when terror can't deter- 
No ! — 'tis the love of life — not fear of death — 
That makes us cherish e'en our latest breath. 

The attempt were fruitless freely I confess'd 
To tell men, who deny it, they are blest! 
What! shall our own self-knowledge be deny'd 
In questions, which our feelings can decide ? 



1G 



BETTER TO BE, 



In reasoning, men may err, it is agreed, 

But feeling's truth, of common sense the creed t 

Yet, after all, 'tis not more strange than true, 

That men err in their very feelings too, 

And scorn the pleasure, which they felt was such. 

Because, forsooth, they'd look'd for twice as much> 

And, though best fitted for their gen'ral good, 

Was not the wish of folly's fitful mood — 

For slighted joys we sigh— when they are o'er, 

And drop a tear, that we'd not priz'd them more. 

Hence, tho' by discontent our bliss we mar, 

Grief for past joys, declares how blest we were. 

The bards and sages of the olden time 
Have said, and sung, for aye, in prose, and rhyme; 
That miserable man had days but few, 
And they, forsooth, were days of sorrow too! 
Why urge the few, to aggravate the ill? 
[f life's an evil, none were better still. 
Of life's brief day, we surely can't complain ; 
'Tis much too long, if spent, indeed, in pain ! 
Long life, a good old age, would lengthen woe—* 



BETTER TO BE, ** 

'Is man the fool to pray for these ? e'en so. 
The amount is this — by clearest logic's rule. 
Man, on the whole, is happy — or a fool ! 

Say, why do poets not affect the gay, 
But rather, choose the melancholy lay ? 
Melpomene, the muse of sweetest voice, 
With woe-fraught strains, influences their choice- 
Pity was sent, to be, of man, the friend ; 
To solace ills she had not pow'r to mend ; 
To give a sigh— if not to yield relief, 
And, in return^ to feel the "joy of grief :" 
As near the Helicon, the Muses' stream, 
Pity was poring o'er some pensive theme, 
Her tears, by chance, were mingled with the flood 5 
E'er since, who taste, feel soft compassion's mood— 
Hence, haply, blending with the poet's lay, 
Imparts pathetic powers to poesy ! 

The Ayrshire bard, tho' nature's child of glee, 
Attuned to mis'ry's notes his minstrelsy ! 
Soft strains of sorrow for their sounds preferr'd, 
B 2 



18 BETTER TO BE. 

% 

That neither with his turn, nor truth, accord ; 
Yet none will scarce the fallacy discern, 
So sweet he sings — " that man was made to mourn !" 
To prove our woes, while we our wit employ, 
The very effort turns our grief to joy. 

Time, which tests all things, long ago hath hurl'cl 
Witches and goblins from this nether world ; 
Could he not chase this error from the earth, 
Which owes to base ingratitude its birth ! 
Say, rather, does not time conviction bring, 
That man's a miserable, wretched thing ! 
And ev'ry fool will a good reason shew, 
That what the world's agreed in, must be true ; 
Yet I believe, who am not wise, forsooth, 
Universality's no test of truth ; 
And hold opinion as an idle song, 
And think, sometimes, that all the world is wrong $ 
The world believ'd, (few years since then have run ? ) 
In goblins ! ghosts ! and devils ! to a man ; 
Now ; neither a poor goblin, ghost, or devil, 
To harbor them, can find a man so evil ! 



BETTER TO BE, IS 

By monkish superstition, men regard, 

As sacred axioms, what they long have heard ; 

Twist ancient legends from their true intent, 

And give a gloom}- meaning never meant ; 

Cherish opinions with religious awe, 

Offspring of error, not of reason's law ; 

With warmest zeal 'gainst truth, and conscience fight. 

And give to error a prescriptive right ; 

Hence, very few, dare free inquiry make ; 

And by assent perpetuate mistake : 

From wilful blindness, woful ills have sprung ; 

Ignorance of right is next to doing wrong ; 

Capacities for knowledge, God, hath given, 

Dormant to laj^ — Is this the will of Heav'n ? 

No ! he is sure in wisdom's, virtue's, road, 

Who seeks to know, and do, the will of God ! 

These every moral duty comprehend, 

Of man's endeavours the true aim and end ! 

It follows theiij th' unbiass'd search for truth 

Should be the object of our age and youth. 

That individual griefs may not exist. 
Not e'en poetic fiction can insist: 



20 BETTER TO BE, 

From mis'ry's bitter cup, full well I know, 
Large draughts of sorrow, not unfrequent, flow ! 
But these are incidental to the plan 
That constitutes the happiness of man : 
Abstract from — deviate any way from this.. 
And you contract the sphere of human bliss. 
Look round this world, and point out if you can, 
Aught but what ministers some good to man ! 
Yet think not men exclusive blessings share, 
Each sentient being too, enjoys Heaven's care ! 
God ! to his creatures cannot partial be— 
Suppose it e'en to man's impiety ! 

Nature grants no immunities. To all, 
Life's blessings in their due proportion fall : 
Gradations infinite — yet all constrained 
To fill the station providence ordained ! 
Each has its day of joy — then yields its breath, 
\nd life sustains in others, by its death ! 
Who think God made this world, a favor'd few 
T 5 endow with choicer gifts — think what's not true, 
! no : 'tis life spread to infinity 



BETTER TO BE. 21 

That can with his beneficence agree ! 

Life ! God's best gift, is happiness ; and He 

Crowds beings that the more may happy be, 

In all created space there's scarce a spot 

That with organic beings teemeth not ; 

Where light can gleam, or vivid warmth pervade, 

God's vegetable kingdom is display'd : 

The deep profound of ocean's coral bed, 

Is with the vegetative tribes o'erspread ; 

E'en stagnant pools are mantled o'er with moss. 

And flinty rocks its spiry tufts emboss ; 

Plants, pendent too, are found, and unsustain'd, 

Save what from gasses, recomposed, are gained* 

The animal creation next we trace, 

Crowding in each inhabitable place, 

Myriads, the sea, the land, the air, contain - h 

The blood that circulates thro' every vein^ 

And e'en the juices of the pulpy fruits 

Involve infinity of sentient brutes ! 

Com mutually in death they each sustain 

New generations, in an endless train ! 

Who made them f is a question — and for what r 



22 BETTER TO BE. 

O ! they themselves ; and they were made for nought 

More wise, less wicked — 'tis to say e'en so, 

Than, that God made them to inherit wo. 

Physical evils, 'twill not be deny'd, 

Indifferently both man and brutes betide; 

Diseases, long privation, death, and pain, 

Surely, not less thai* man, the brutes sustain ; 

And they, at least, from duty ne'er have swerv'd, 

No compact violated ; ne'er incurr'd 

Their maker's wrath : and justice dare not own 

They're punish'd for the ills that man has done i 

No ! God is merciful, and just, and wise ; 

Nor punishment inflicts, nor good denies, 

But ill to shun, or greater good to gain, 

Or such as from necessity obtain. 

Brutes are ferocious — on each other prey ; 

Their lives one struggle of hostility ! 

Do these comport with happiness ? Oh, no ! 

They do not, if the facts were really so. 

Except when trained by man, brutes never fight. 

Save when their urgent appetites incite; 

For mad ambition they have too much grace. 



BETTER TO BE. 23 

And wage no wars to desolate their race ! 

But the whole race of brutes — hard lot ! are doomed 

To die by violence, and be entombed 

In their destroyer's maws. Is it then sweet 

To linger, die, and then worms us to eat? 

Life's vigorous morn they live, and ere decay 

Invades them, unsuspecting, fall the prey 

Of one with more capacity for joy, 

Whom, in his turn, another shall destroy. 

Thus, the best portion of their lives, they live, 

Then death, which they to thousands gave, receive a 

See what an aggregate of blessings flows 

From this, miscalled, to brutes, a life of woes ! 

And what seems cruel to our narrow sight, 

Is wise, is just — is merciful, and right. 

But if your unbelieving mind disputes 
The bliss which bounteous heaven bestows on brute^ 
Convinc'd, because you've heard your fathers say 
That they, as man, are doomed to misery ! 
O ! listen to the music of yon grove, 
Where all is life, and liberty, and love j 



2!4 BETTER TO BE* 

How full the chorus ! loud, yet sweetly shrill 

Responds the echoes from the crescent hill ; 

While the quick treble of the insects' notes 

Symphonious, down the winding vallies floats. 

See ! o'er yon sloping lawn the cattle feed, 

And the brisk heifer bounding o'er the meed ! 

The fleecy flocks on swelling summits graze, 

Whilst the fleet lamb its vagaries displays ; 

Or go where yonder streamlet skirts the green^ 

And trace the margin of the living stream ; 

See ! in the clear, translucent flood below, 

Myriads of minnows sporting to and fro ; 
And all the finny tribe, how blest they are, 

As far as lively motions can, declare. 

Is this not happiness ? have you a heart ? 

And do such scenes, to it, no joy impart 

And tell you they are blest : aud you are blest 

Who gladden at the good by them possest ! 

Remember these your fellow creatures are, 

Made by God's hand, and equally his care ! 

You they serve faithfully; both clothe and feecl 

And, freely, minister to every need,; 



BETTER TO BE. 25 

Willing, though all desert you, aid to lend, 
And often are, the last, the only friend ; 
They ever grateful are, and shame to you 
That ne'er a corresponding feeling knew; 
Why, on the wild race, wage eternal war? 
At times, when e'en your sports no motive are — 
What harms not, living — nor can serve when dead. 
'Tis base, 'tis cowardly — the blood to shed. 
Those who domestic animals abuse, 
E'en harden'd apathy cannot excuse. 

If brutes are blest, can truth and reason say, 
That man's less happy, or less blest than they ? 
Content, and peace, are sure the good man's lot ; 
A perfect happiness he asketh not ; 
What has, or can he do, for what's been given ? 
And more, w r ould make unwish'd the joys of Heav'n ! 
Behold him in domestic life — replete 
With every requisite to make it sweet ; 
Amid the little circle, dear to him, 
He lives, the fountain of all good to them. 
C 



26 BETTER TO BE, 

Chases each want, and soothes each anxious care. 

Nor asks a blessing which they may not share ; 

At duty's call he joins in busy life, 

Careless of irksome toil, or vexing strife; 

His active habits banish, far away, 

The worse than labour — the dull idle day. 

How sweet, when eve, his cares and toils suspends. 

To meet his cheerful family and friends ; 

To pass the hours in rational delight, 

Though fortune frown ; or little great men, slight ; 

His warm-heart, to sweet ecstacy is wrought 

In the delightful interchange of thought ! 

O ! blest beyond the common lot is he, 

With soul form'd for each social sympathy, 

He does the kindred ties of nature blend, 

As son, as brother, husband, parent, friend — 

The narrow circle of domestic bliss 

His heart's first wish — though it mankind embrace : 

And, next, his country claims the good man's care, 

In peace his counsel — and his arm in war ; 

Champion of honor, liberty, and laws, 

His ready sword he draw s in virtue's cause ; 



BETTER TO BE. 2? 

He bids fair cultivation rear her head 

Where deserts, late, immeasurably spread ; 

And arts, and commerce beckons to the shore, 

The seat of idleness, and want before ! 

His nobler appetites — his mental taste, 

He gratifies in science' rich repast, 

Where, not satiety, itself, can cloy, 

But still enjoying, he may still enjoy ! 

But if true genius — Heaven descended flame, 

Lights in his soul, the gen'rous love of fame ; 

And, if no cause, imperiously, declare, 

That he address not the Pierian fair — 

Then, poesy, and each fair sister art 

Would wake the latent feelings of his heart, 

Inspire a wish, in science, to transcend ; 

His name, emblazon'd down time's stream to send ! 

But his own happiness ne'er blinds his sight 

To the distress'd, whom sorrow's mildews blight, 

Ready, he is, to minister relief 

And seek the haunts where mis'ry pines in grief, — 



28 BETTER TO BE. 

Is such a man unblest ? though fortune slight. 
His mind has innate sources of delight ! 
Gewgaws that glitter, fortune's gifts comprise 
Beyond her reach are life's realities. 



END OF BOOK FIRST, 



Mttttt i® M$ 



<> 



BOOK SECOND. 



ARGUMENT 

OF THE 

SECOJVI) BOOK. 

Instances of the calamities attendant on human life. 
Moral and physical evil necessary. Ills often blessings in dis- 
guise. The story of Florio. The ills of life mitigated by habit. 
Instanced in Trenk — In De Alvas. The permission of evil, in- 
dispensable. Though God permits evil, it is made subservient 
to good. Our sorrows made instrumental to our happiness. 
Compensation for evil instanced. Further instances adduced 
of the unavoidable evils of life being redressed. Progressive 
improvement in knowledge and science have, already, banished 
many physical evils from the world. Much, yet, may be ex- 
pected from new discoveries and improvements. Why we 
make a wrong estimate of the relative duration of time, in our 
joys and sorrows. If we have secret sorrows; so, also, vre 
have pleasure unknown to any but ourselves. Sympathy — - 
its effects, 



Mttttt t® M$< 



BOOK SECOND. 



PHYSICAL AND MORAL EVILS. 

BUT oft, we own, severest ills betide, 
And man mourns evils to his lot allied ; 
How oft doth death, ere yet his fatal dart 
Pierces, no more to beat the aching heart ! 
While wrapt in love, and joy — relentless sever 
Hearts twin'd in one — forever and forever ; 
How oft misfortune, with remorseless hands, 
Blasts the fair schemes that cautious prudence plans ; 
Conceal'd by solitude — how many moan, 
Long lost to joy — unpitied and unknown j 



34 BETTER TO BE. 

Diseases oft, invidious, wind their way, 

And on life's latent, vital, organs prey ; 

And oft, who call for pity and relief, 

Fall victims to the canker worm of grief; 

But, yet, though very many — yet how small 

A portion of mankind are doom'd to fall 

Beneath the pressure of exquisite ill ? 

And of our days, how few doth sorrow fill ? 

Beyond the confines of this narrow sphere, 

Worlds there may be, devoid of wo and care, 

Where beings, all of mind, no ills sustain, 

And pleasures feel without the alloy of pain ; 

Of such we know not ; but in worlds like this, 

Care, toil, and pain, must be the price of bliss : 

Could death, and sin, be banish'd from the world, 

And, back, to the Tartarian pit be hurl'd, 

What a throng'd world of dotards we should have ! 

Longing for death — and yet denied a grave ! 

The endearing ties of parent, child, would cease; 

Replenish'd earth would need no more increase ; 

The social sympathies that life endear, 

That gives us all our joys, would disappear; 



BETTER TO BE. 35 

Cold as our hearts, our lingering life would be; 
(Jnwarm'd by blood propelling sympathy : 
Death, often, such is heav'n's all wise decree, 
Marks youth and vigour for his destin'd prey ; 
x\ge ne'er escapes — but is remov'd from this, 
To worlds where virtue meets eternal bliss, 
And leaves the stage of life, without alloy 
To those who've more capacity for joy. 
Ills, blessings in disguise, do oft appear, 
And men, are stricken, for their good when here ; 
Life's voyage, who sail, on an unruffled sea, 
Are doom'd too oft, to keenest misery. 

Can fortune make life blest ? — Let Florio's show. 
Whose fate was iix'd on fortune's fullest flow ; 
For he was blest with vigour, youth, and health ; 
With wealth, and the accessories of wealth ; 
His heart was soft — his temper mild and even, 
He wished the weal of all men, under Heav'n ; 
In love, in friendship, as in fortune blest, 
He, Clara, fairest of the fair, possest ; 



36 BETTER TO BE. 

Eugenius was his friend — no friend more true, 
And children — smiling cherubs, he had two ; 
His fertile fields, o'er winding vallies spread, 
And his high hills, the waving forest shade ; 
His villa was the master-piece of art, 
With gates, to all, as open as his heart ; 
His wayward fancy could no object crave, 
But what his means, without an effort, gave ; 
Yet he was wretched in the midst of wealth, 
And fancy sicken'd in the bloom of health ; 
This world no more could give him — and the one 
To come — he ne'er had dar'd to think upon ; 
Fair science ne'er for him had spread her page, 
" Rich with the spoils of time," and precepts sage.; 
For the dull tedium of the ling'ring day 
Ennui — what had he to chase away ? 
His children — Oh ! to him sad sick'ning thought ! 
He could not teach them what he'd ne'er been taught : 
He pin'd in thought — and ruthless melancholy ! 
Sciz'd on his soul — and with a thought unholy, 
He sought the dreary wastes of forests wide, 
And 'twas believ'd bv his own hand he died ! 



BETTER TO BK, 

O ! blind to their own good — who fondly pray 
That fortune's flowers may e'er bestrew their way ; 
Better that ills betide — e'en pain annoy, 
Than one bright sunshine of unclouded joy ; 
Had fortune, some time, frown'd on Florio's life, 
And destined him to care, and toil, and strife, 
He'd saved his soul, and been what others are 
Not happy quite, but blest as he could bear ; 
We learn this maxim, then, from Florio's end, 
Wealth only can the good, and wise, befriend. 

But there are ills too oft, that men betide. 
To which all human succour is denied ; 
That from duration, more than piercing pain 
Harrow the heart, and turn the phrenzied brain ; 
So tire our patience, that e'en fortitude 
Forsakes the heart, and owns herself subdued ! 
Such is neglect to worth — a dungeon's gloom ! 
And grief, for friends, untimely fates entomb ! 
Such are the cureless, chronicails, so rife, 
Such pining care — the canker-worm of life f 

B 



3S BETTER TO BE, 

But God, a principle, to man has given, 
That life's asperities makes smooth and even ; 
That e'en can reconcile us to despair, 
And teach us what's incurable, to bear ; 
That can our nature change — and e'en subdue 
Antipathies, and model us anew ! 
This principle is habit ! homely power, 
Foul-faced at first, but fairer every hour ! 
What bitter draughts of sorrow should we know 
If thou wert not at hand to soften wo ! 

Soothed by thy lenient power, as time went by 
Intrepid Trenk less frequent heav'd the sigh, 
(When thou, and hope, had lighter made his chains, 
And his firm mind its wonted power regains,) 
Found means, amidst a dreary dungeon's gloom, 
To cause, e'en, fancy's vivid flowers to bloom ; 
Alternate with the muse — and arts less coy, 
Illumed his prison hours, with beams of joy. 

And he, who on that day, when freedom's dawn, 
Gladden'd the Gallic heart — too quickly flown, 



BETTER TO BE. 39 

When the enfuriate Frenchmen's frenzied zeal 

Eras'd the ramparts of the proud Bastile ! 

He, who was rescu'd from the dungeon's gloom, 

Which forty years had been his living tomb ! 

His brave deliverers, with compassion rife, 

Hail his return to liberty and life ! 

" Go," cry they, " lost De Alvas to thy home, 

" If home thou hast — and thy few days to come, 

" Enjoy in ecstacy — for sure to thee 

" This world a perfect Paradise must be ! 

" As Adam saw, with transports of delight, 

" The new creation burst upon his sight ; 

" So, light, and liberty, to thee must bring 

" The joys which from a new creation spring." 

" Alas ! my friends — for friends you've meant to be ;" 

De Alvas cries, " you're my worst enemy ! 

" O ! had I perish'd when these ramparts fell, 

" Unknown — no tongue my tale of wo to tell ! 

" Rather, than thus, from yonder cells, be torn, 

" Whose horrors, I, long since, have ceas'd to mourn ; 

" What is this world to me ? my friends all gone, 

" In crowded streets, I'd find myself alone ! 



40 BETTER TO B£, 

" No interest, now, I feel, in aught I see; 
^ Loosen'd is all my heart's fond sympathy ! 
" No parent, wife, or friend, or children, dear 
" I've left, to mingle fond aifection's tear ! 
" Estrang'd, to earthly objects, in my mind, 
" This world shut out — another world I find I 
" There I respire in peace; and though not gay. 
" In no unpleasing sadness, pass the day." 

O ! my young countrymen — my children dear 
If you'd be blest, of habit e'er beware ! 
This fiend, or friend — for he shall be to you. 
As ye may list — a foe, or friend, most true. 
Habit's the stuff of which life's web is wove ; 
If good, or ill, as ye may choose, 'twill prove ; 
If virtuous courses, early, ye pursue, 
They'll your propensions be — and pleasure too j 
If vicious — Oh ! what miseries await ! 
The bitterest potion in the cup of fate ! 
To ruin, half consenting, dragg'd along ; 
Knowing what's right, yet doing what is wrong ; 
Condemned to feel the double curse of sin, 
Pain and disease without, and hell within !. 



BETTER TO BE. 41 

Let cavilling casuists say whate'er they will, 
Permitting evil's indispensable ! 
Yet, God ! through means, by us not understood. 
From seeming evil still deduces good ! 
If man were made without the power to sin, 
Free agency at best, a blank had been ; 
Virtue a name — accountability 
Could not exist, if none could wicked be; 
The praise of merit — but an idle song, 
For right* s no virtue— if we can't do wrong ! 
If men may err — tho' none are forc'd — some will, 
Heaven, leaves mankind, the choice of good or ill ; 
Temptation is the test, that virtues show, 
As none could conquer, if they had no foe. 

Man's vices — the great source of moral ill, 
And nature's laws — that cause the physical, 
In reason's eyes, insep'rable appear 
From his condition, in this lower sphere ; 
Contingent, incidental to the plan, 
That means eternal happiness to man ! 
d 2 



42 BETTER TO J&E. 

Though God permits the envenom'd serpent's wound. 

In ev'ry case an antidote is found ; 

And scarce a sorrow that our hearts annoy, 

But lenient time may brighten into joy ! 

E'en, for departed friends— -when years go by r 

Who has not felt the value of a sigh ! 

In fond remembrance found a sweet relief, 

And felt a melancholy joy in grief! 

Oh ! let the sympathetic heart declare 

If there's no joys allied to pity's tear ! 

Virtue, religion, blunt the envenom'd sting. 

Of all the sorrows that our bosom wring. 

The ills sustained by elemental strife, 
Which wreck our passions, and embitter life, 
Floods, storms, and earthquakes, and a host of ills ? 
Too oft, with misery a whole nation fills ; 
But these are incidental ; not designed, 
.And light, on a small portion, of mankind, 
And are not without use ; though here, below, 
It h not given, their final cause to know ; 



BETTER TO BE. 43 

Are there no compensations to assuage 
The ills which flow from elemental rage? 
And all the gloomy train misfortune brings 
To darken life beneath their shadowy wings ; 
Yes ! not a few ! some which, perhaps, repay. 
The ravages that spread beneath their sway. 
Do they not half subdue, and humble pride 
Fell foe to man, though by him deified ! 
His dormant powers do they not stimulate. 
And yield the means, misfortune's ills to meet; 

Man is dependent on his fellow's aid, 
And were as helpmates to each other made ; 
When mishap whelms a neighbour in sore grief. 
All strive, who first, can minister relief; 
Such are our interests — such the powerful tie 
That binds our hearts by chords of sympathy! 
Oh ! how delightful to the feeling heart ! 
To sorrow's child, sweet comfort to impart ; 
To cause the tears of joy! the bosom's swell 
- In those who've hearts warm and susceptible : 
Beneficence twice blest ! — blest they who give. 
And blest ! who gratefully, the boon receive 



44 BETTER TO BE. 

Here let me not forget — the day just past, 
When conflagration laid a city* waste, 
See half its population — hope e'en lost ! 
Wandering, unshelter'd through the wintry frost ! 
But men have hearts of flesh ! — Columbia see ! 
All thy throng'd cities warm'd with sympathy ; 
Large was their bounty — and approving heaven 
Blest those who gave, and those to whom 'twas given ! 
Thus, gracious God ! where ills e'en hopes destroy, 
Pours on the stricken heart the balm of joy. 
Comparatively few were plunged in grief, 
While all hearts bound with joy at their relief! 

External ills, or those in fortune's power, 
May chase the gladness of a cheerful hour ; 
Prudence, the ill, may teach us to evade, 
Or friends relieve us, by their timely aid ; 
Who, better days have seen, wo makes more wise, 
By habit taught, how little will suffice ; 
These have their use — oft add to human weal, 
But man is doom'd severer ills to feel : 

* Savannah. 



BETTER TO BE. 45 

Ills which nor friends, nor fortune, can relieve, 
For which philosophy, no cure can give! 
Such are decrepit age, disease, and pain, 
And all the ills of sorrow's blighted train ! 
But, gracious God ! not to forget us here, 
Suspends the sense of pain when too severe ; 
Sensation ends ; and an unconscious state 

Remains, till nature has declared our fate. 

Nature abhors extremes ! pleasures high wrought. 

By pain that follows, oft, are dearly bought ; 

At best, are evanescent — come not nigh 

The placid joys of sweet tranquillity ! 

Pain, if severe, kills, or suspends the sense, 

And, often, does the suff'rer recompense 

By joys succeeding, equal to the pain, 

If nature, its infliction, can sustain. 

Fame, fortune — all the joys amusement brings 

Are nought, to what from pain's remission, springs ! 

O ! well of this, may you attest the truth 

Who've 'scaped, from tortures, of a raging tooth ! 

Thus pain — such is God's power, and will to bless ! 

Is made subservient to our happiness. 



46 BETTER TO BE. 

Oft, when diseases, accidents, invade, 
We fly, with haste, to the physician's aid ; 
Think'st thou, fond man, thy panacea's power, 
Can chase away disease's heavy hour ? 
The mighty doctors of the healing art 
Subordinate to nature, act their part ; 
Their greatest boast, is, the disease to know ; 
And, next, a deathless praise ! no harm to do ! 
Lastly, with nature to cooperate : 
Who this can do 's a doctor truly great ! 
Who more pretends — tho' fame his name may crack 8 
Keep from you — he's no doctor, but a quack ! 
By what mysterious means doth nature still 
Repair, and renovate the body's ill ? 
To certain limits severed limbs restore, 
And fractur'd bones make firmer than before ! 
God's goodness, power, in nought more great appear 
Than in what we are contemplating here ; 
What means — what med'cine — the three kingdoms 

bring,* 
That through all countries their blest influence fling! 

* The three kingdoms meant here are the animal, vegetable, 
and mineral. 



BETTER TO BE* 4? 

See Jenner, with almost, a magic wand, 
Chase life's worst pest;"* beyond our happy land ! 
Rabiosaf — SpasmiJ — see the morning's dawn 
Of that glad day when they shall be unknown ! 
When new discov'ries, and superior skill. 
Shall medicable make each human ail ! 
But bitter ills, whatever may betide, 
Shall still remain with human life allied ; 
And long the hour, and ling'ring the dull day. 
When pain, and sickness, mark us for their prey ; 
But short the months — and fleet the years of bliss 
When pleasure smiles, and youth and vigor bless ; 
Hence, pain's remember'd — pleasure is forgot 
Though years are past, in this — for days in that. 

If those who outward smile, are oft the prey 
Of griefs conceal'd, that shun the light of day ; 
So, often, those, whom sorrow calls her own 
Have secret pleasures to the world unknown ; 
Some treasur'd joy they hug, and hide from sight, 

* Small-Pox. t Hydrophobia, X Tetanus, 



48 BETTER TO B*E 

That makes them blest in adverse fortune's spite ; 
Some hopes, indulged, of distant, future good 
Chase from their minds all present sorrows rude, 
And while their fancy's dreams their minds employ 
Extract from sorrow's cordial drops of joy. 

There is a charm can soften misery 
And half disarm disease — 'tis sympathy ! 
How grateful to the heart is pity's flow 
When sickness chains us to the bed of wo ! 
How sweetly, fond attentions, pains assuage 
And half subdue — of dire disease, the rage ! 
Forbidden kindness, when bestow'd by stealth 
Relumes life's lamp, and renovates the health. 
And when the day, that comes to all, shall come, 
When on the confines of the silent tomb ! 
When the last pulse of life's about to end, 
How do the fond affections of a friend 
Give a light gleam of joy, at the last breath, 
And smooth with sympathy, the bed of death ! 
Thus, by each solace, that our state can know. 
Is man exempted from extremes of wo ; 



BETTER TO BE. 49 

And when no hope remains from earthly aid, 
The good behold heaven's portals, wide, displayed 



END OF BOOK SECOND 



BOOK THIRD. 



ARGUMENT 

OF THE 

THIRD BOOK. 

Our happiness, in a greeit measure, depends on the proper 
regulation of the passions. Piety. Sentiments, or feelings, of 
piety universal. Is the most predominant feeling in our nature. 
Dreadful effects of superstition. Hope, mankind's best friend. 
Apostrophe to hope. Pity — soother of sorrow. Love — stimu- 
lates to noble deeds. Instanced in the conduct of a young sol- 
dier. Parental affections. Duties of a parent. Gratitude — 
proof of a good heart — The want of it indicative of every thing 
bad in the disposition. Beneficence, and gratitude, inmates of 
the same breast. Patriotism — public and private interests the 
same. Heroes of Thermopylae. The love of fame universal. 
A summary of the social passions. Dissocial Passions — a brief 
account of them, viz. Fear, Envy, Pride, Revenge, Grief, Hate, 
are necessary to our well-being; require to be under the gui- 
dance of Reason. 



E 2 



MtUW t® M$< 



BOOK THIRD. 



THE PASSIONS, 

OF all the sorrows that our bosoms ring, 
How few but from some vice or folly spring ; 
The streams of pleasure through our lives that flow. 
Next to God's blessing, to ourselves, we owe : 
The Passions, chiefly, as we regulate 
Make bright, or dark, the colour of our fate ; 
Fools, who suppose them, source of every ill — 
They're blessings, if subjected to the will ; 
Without them, life were like a sunless sky 
Dark, dull, and dreary, to the cheerless eye ; 



56 BETTER TO BE. 

The brief tale of our despicable lot, 
To live, to vegetate — to die, to rot ! 
Curst with no feeling, or, for wo, or weal, 
Better e'en sorrow feel, than not to feel ! 
Extinguish but the passions — 1 agree 
It then, indeed, were "better not to be." 
From them the good that flows, or ills that spring 
From their abuse, with diffidence I sing. 

O Piety ! daughter of heavenly race ! 
Thy lineaments in every mind we trace ; 
Though duty, reason, prompts us to adore 
The God of Nature ! yet few would implore 
His mercies — if no impulse of the heart 
Did not a pleasurable warmth impart; 
The ungodly, even, seek the hallowed fane, 
And join the pious in their warmest strain ! 
Thus God, in goodness, ever hath assign'd 
A pleasure to each duty of the mind ; 
And placed — the wayward fancy to control, 
A witness of himself in every soul; 
Heaven, on the heart, has piety impress'd — 
The strongest, warmest, passion of the breast ! 



BETTER TO BE. 57 

Which, right directed, to each good gives birth ; 
If wrong — its fury desolates the earth. 

O ! blest is he, beyond what words can tell, 
With whom true piety delights to dwell ; 
Whom, no contracted thoughts, with fears alarm, 
Lest sins unknown, should God with vengeance arm, 
Who gains all knowledge he has means to do, 
And acts, in all things, to his conscience true ; 
Slave to no sect — and yet the friend to all, 
Though on his head their anathemas fall ; 
Who thinks his virtues — humble though they be, 
Shall be accepted by the Deity ; 
For all God asks, whate'er fools may indite, 
Lie in two words, to know, and do, what's right, j 
Let zealots pore o'er tomes of casuistry, 
A few plain precepts are enough for me ; 
The Will of God's enough for me to know — 
To do his Will's enough for me to do — 
Though I may err — I hope to be forgiven, 
'Tis man — not God, denounces wrath from heaven. 



58 BETTER TO BE. 

But ignorance, oft, engenders in the mind 
A fiend ! — the greatest foe of human kind! 
Dark Superstition ! who usurps the throne 
Of Piety, and makes the heart her own ; 
Inflames it with enthusiastic zeal, 
And makes her victims Moloch's fury feel : 
Juggernaut's rites! — the rack! the flaming stake! 
Shew love of God, perverted by mistake ; 
The wretch, whose death, outrages nature's laws, 
Had died a martyr, in a better cause ! 
The amount is this, if argued e'er so long, 
Nature is always right, man often wrong : 
But, lo! hope's torch illumes no distant day, 
When truth and piety shall bear the sway ; 
And ignorance — superstition, flee the world, 
Deep, in the dark Tartarian abyss hurl'd — 
Then freed from error's mist, mankind shall own 
Religion — true philosophy, are one. 

Hope, to mankind, still steadfast to the end, 
The first, the last — -and oft his only friend! 
She, when misfortune's gloomy griefs obtrude ? 
Repays her ills with views of distant good, 



BETTER TO BE. 59 

And, oft, her fictions give the heart more joy 
Than sorrow's shafts, are suffeied to annoy, 

Hail Hope ! thou happy mad'st my halcyon day, 
Nor leav'st me lorn — with locks of silver grey! 
O ! with thy magic wand, dispel the gloom, 
Which, but for thee, would shroud my days to come; 
The fairy phantoms fancy's wont to rear, 
Those unsubstantial pageantries of air, 

! with thy talismanick power endue 
That — for a while — I may believe them true, 
And, as one flatt'ring prospect sinks from sight 
Rear others, as illusive, but as bright ; 

1 ask not dreams of greatness — for I know 
That splendour cannot shield the heart from wo ; 
Enough for me, if thy sweet tale can tell, 

That in my cot, content and peace shall dwell — 
That, friends regard me, with affection's sigh, 
And thou, sincere for once, shalt bless me when I die! 

'Tis hope the wounded heart with firmness fills 
When adverse fortune bear'st us down with ills; 



(JO BETTER TO BE. 

Bestrew'st our path with flowers of fancied good^ 

That leaves our resolution unsubdued ; 

Bids us, again, life's evils to assail, 

And makes our efforts, in the end prevail. 

As flowers, and blossoms, fragrant odours fling 
In the glad season of the rosy spring ; 
As summer's vivid warmth our labours crown, 
And with the rip'ning fruits, our fields embrown ; 
Thus, on misfortune's heirs, condemn'd to mourn, 
Whose hearts, the blighting blasts, of wo hath torn 
So Pity falls: — to hearts by sorrow riv'n, 
Sweet as the rose-bud — soft as dews of Heav'n! 
Clear as the crystal diamond's vivid ray; 
Grateful, as showers, in Summer's, sultry, day ; 
Bright as the brilliant star-bespangled sky, 
Beam Pity's pearly tears in Beauty's eye ! 
Celestial pow'r! sent by all gracious Heaven! 
To aid the wretch, by wo, to phrenzy driven; 
And sweet's the pleasure — sweet— if pain, the pain 
That swells the heart, that sighs at sorrow's strain. 



BETTER TO BE. ol 

Love, when the heart's sincere — the soul retin'd 
Exalts, and dignifies, the gen'rous mind; 
Incites to worth; and bids it nobly crave, 
Deeds of renown, that make the brave, more brave ; 
His wish, who truly loves, is first to prove 
Worthy, the tender object of his love ; 
And the next, gen'rous, purpose of his breast, 
To gain her love, and make her being blest. 

What though imperious duty call him far, 
Amidst the horrors of terrific war ! 
Say, w T ould his soften'd heart, repine at fate, 
WhencalPd his country's cause to vindicate? 
No ! you will meet him in the very van, 
Where danger rages most — the foremost man- 
Careless of death, amidst the mortal strife, 
As if he sought to end a peaceful life; 
O no ! his life is doubly worth his care, 
But there are feelings to his heart more dear— 
An inspiration of applause — a sigh ! 
From her he loves- — to gain — how sweet to die ! 



62 BETTER TO BE. 

And when the lingering, tedious, night, and daj 5 
Of the dull camp, on his tired spirits prey ; 
Privations — sickness — wants — a gloomy train 
Obtrude — that make e'en vet'rans to complain ! 
Or when, the advance-post watch, all night he keeps, 
Tho 5 torrents chill, and the bleak tempest sweeps, 
While from the hostile lines, the sent'nels tell 
In accents hoarse — the often false — all's well ! 
How shall his heart, used but to love's alarms 
Meet the fierce conflict, of the foe, in arms ? 
O ! he will tell you. love's the potent spell 
That makes delight, in midst of horrors dwell ; 
That fancy's visions — hope's enliv'ning ray 
Chase from his heart, all present ills, away; 
That pictur'd transports, transient sorrows drown ? 
In the fond hope, that love his joys shall crown ! 

Fame, fortune, honors — may illume our way, 
The empty, pageants of an idle day, 
Transient, and cold, the pleasures they impart, 
? Tis love, alone, gives feeling to the heart. 
The first link, in the golden bonds, that tie 
Man's wayward heart in sweet society; 



BETTER TO BE, 63 

O ! what a dreary, dull, and rugged road 
Were life, but for this principle of good, 
Unpolished, unrefined — the wilds among 
The graces ne'er had smil'd, the muses sung. 

When of this picture, the reverse is true, 
O! blame not fate; the fault remains with you ; 
If no discordant passions enter there, 
We could not paint the portraiture too fair; 
Love — or what's so miscall'd — we own, oft fills. 
The frenzi'd heart with fury's fiercest ills j 
Oft, vagrant fancy's jealousies obtrude, 
Or, cold unkindness — or, demeanour, rude 
Alienates the heart — and such its fate, 
That, where it once hath lov'd — must love or hate 

Say, does no throb of joy, dilate the heart 
Of the fond Parent — tho' the tear may start 
Of kind solicitude, and anxious fear — 
E'en, these, to the parental heart are dear! 
For their loved offspring, O ! to toil how sweet! 
Privations— dangers — cheerfully they meet. 



34 BETTER TO fi£. 

Their constant prayer that Heaven its gifts may shed 
Not on their own, but on their children's head, 
Glad at their joys, and at their griefs distrest, 
E'en death were joy, to make their offspring blest.- 

On you, ye parents — be it wo, or weal — 
Depends, what your susceptive hearts shall feel ; 
Their minds were given you pure — direct them right, 
And they shall crown your grey hairs with delight! 
Teach them obedience, and they you shall bless, 
And gratitude — and they shall much possess ; 
O ! teach them temperance, and they'll have health 
O ! teach them prudence and they'll not want wealth ; 
And modesty, and they shall be belov'd, 
And justice, and by all they'll be approv'd ; 
O ! teach them science, and benevolence ; 
Teach them sincerity, and diligence ; 
Teach charity — and they shall be forgiven 1 . 
Religion — and their souls shall go to Heaven! 

Test of the heart, and head, sweet gratitude 
Who entertain thee prove that they are good; 
Pious the grateful man must surely be. 
For gratitude to God is piety j 



BETTER TO BE. t>J 

For, he who's mindful of the mercies given 
Must momentally lift his thoughts to Heaven ! 
And, true this maxim e'er you may believe, 
Who gratefully receive — will freely give ; 
Commutual benefit's the bond that binds 
The social sentiments of gen'rous minds; 
Beneficence, and gratitude — both blest 
Are, ever, inmates of the selfsame breast; 
With them the gentle virtues are allied, 
Hope, Love, and Joy, and Charity soft-eyed; 
And, next to God — the joys on life that flow 
To their sweet influence on our hearts, we owe. 
Who owns them not, is in destruction's road, 
Would scorn his parents, and abjure his God ! 
If such thou know'st — O ! shun him as a fiend. 
Thy very virtues, most, will him offend — 
If thou'rt so thoughtless as to serve him, he 
Will be, that moment, thy worst enemy ; 
Who feels for benefits, no grateful flow, 
Becomes his benefactor's greatest foe— 
But justice, with his case should be content 
E'en, were he freed from future punishment'! 



&§ BETTER TO BE. 

His heart's a hell within him ! he would be 
In Eden, damn'd with black malignity ! 

Hail Patriotism ! purest, noblest flame ! 
'Tis thou that dignifi'st the hero's name ; 
Giv'st worth to valour — mak'st it ever known 
That public — private interest are one. 
First on the rolls of fame, the heroes stand 
Who bravely march the champions of their land; 
Who, tho' sure death await them, boldly draws 
Their swords in honour — and their country's cause 
What's life—what's death — to Patriotism ? — see 
The question's answer'd at Thermopylae ! 
When brave Leonidas, and valiant band 
"Gainst Xerxes' host, the unequal fight sustained 
They, self devoted — tho' no hope remain'd 
Of life, to the last man, the fight maintain'd! 
knd made the haughty Persian despot see, 
Nought could subdue men zealous to be free i 
But tho' each man, who is of man the friend^ 
\ sword should wear, his country to defend ; 



BETTER TO BE. 6*7 

He, Quixote like, need not a tilting go, 

And make, or fancy, every man his foe ! 

Or ever join the cav'lling captious throng, 

Who fight, to gain the right of doing wrong! 

If 'mongst your country's guardian gods your name 

You'd wish enroll'd — endeavor to reclaim 

The vicious — mend, or make new laws, 

And be what Solon, or Lycurgus was ; 

Or, if, perchance, you've less the power than will. 

Your country's higher civil posts to fill, 

Much still remains, by you, that may be done : 

Are there no dikes to dig — no roads to run ? 

Is there no school to visit— -church to rear ? 

Or hospital, that asks thy guardian care ? 

But if too poor, for even these, thou be, 

And pity's sigh must bound thy charity — 

Thou stiil may'st act the noble patriot's part. 

If thou'st a willing hand — an honest heart ! 

Let this the wishes of that heart comprise 

If thou hast children— make them good and wise 

He is a Patriot, ever, truly great, 

hose sons are worthy members of the state. 



06 



BETTER TO BE. 



O Fame ! source of extremes of good and ill. 
What heart too dull to feel thy wak'ning thrill ! 
Amphibolous thy nature — now allied 
To vice — anon, array'd on virtue's side! 
5 Tis thine, the soul with fervour to incite 
A name, thy object — by wrong means, or right 
Prompt' d by thee — first half the world o'erthrown, 
Csesar essay'd to make that world his own! 
And thou, too, urg'st the deed, that made him feel 
From Brutus' arm, his friend, the fatal steel ! 
But not, exclusively, is Fame confin'd 
To lofty station, or superior mind ; 
The very lowest, feel ambition's swell, 
And hope, in something— others to excel ! 
The wise, and those who spurn at reason's rules, 
And the whole race of affectation^ fools, 
All court distinction — but the love of fame, 
When genius, virtue, seek a deathless name, 
Makes, e'en, our noblest actions, brighter shine, 
And human nature lifts, to the divine ! 
Lo ! led by love of Fame — his country's good 
Gate, the victor > of the world— withstood ; 



BETTER TO BE. 69 

And when, hope lost, nor country more could claim 
He gave his life, a sacrifice to Fame ! 
And Io ! of less remote, and later days, 
What hosts of Heroes sought the meed of praise ! 
Vain the attempt, their very names to give, 
Whose glory to remotest time shall live * 
Great, as the greatest ! I might mention one, 
Who sought not Fame — Illustrious Washington ! 
His heart — his country's good alone could share. 
Nor Glory's self had room to enter there ! 
But, tho' from nobler views, he slighted Fame 
Her loudest trumps his noble deeds proclaim ! 
But, without love of fame, we rarely find 
That virtue, greatly, stimulates the mind — 
Hence, e'er conjoin'd, in those who highest raise 
Is, love of virtue to the love of praise : 
Fastidious Moralists, are, sure, not wise 
Who, e'er affect, Fame's favours to despise ; 
Though, justly, we detest the fools of Fame, 
Who, without merit, seek to gain a name ;— 
But for th' abuse, deduct whate'er we can, 
The love of Fame, gives dignity to man ; 



70 BETTER TO BE. 

For noble deeds excite a generous glow, 
And light, the blush of shame, at aught that's low ; 
An impulse gives, e'en in life's latest stage, 
And, scarce, grows colder in the breast of age ! 
The man of worth, shall at the hour of death 
Cherish the love of Fame, to his last breath ! 
And while, he hopes, to meet deserv'd acclaim. 
Fondly, anticipate Posthumous Fame ! 

Form'd for Society — the world around 
No isolated heart was ever found — 
On some fond breast it pillows every care, 
Nor asks a boon, it might not freely share ; 
Why gladden gen'rous hearts, at others weal* 
And at their sorrows, equal sorrow feel ? 
'Tis sympathy ! that by a thousand ties, 
Man, ever, with his fellow man allies — 
Love, first — parental, filial duty next, 
The social circle in one bond connect, 
Self-love discovers, while it seeks its own, 
A separate happiness cannot be known ; 



BETTER TO BE. 71 

Direct, or indirectly, men are joined 
By friendship, to each fellow of his kind. 
Next, love of country animates the soul, 
And in one bond of union joins the whole — 
While piety still takes a range more broad 5 
And binds the human family to God ! 

The sage — if such there be — who hath defined 
The latent springs and movements of the mind, 
May tell why objects, painful to the heart, 
Awaken feelings that can joy impart; 
Why sorrow's sigh, or charity's relief, 
Gains pity's sweet reward, " the joy of grief." 
Nor is heaven's boon to this alone confin'd, 
But to each social passion of the mind ; 
And their expressions children e'en may trace, 
Mark'd in the lineaments of every face. 

Dissocial passions, meant for our defence, 
There are — nor e'en with these could we dispense ; 
Fear, Envy, Pride, Revenge, and Grief, and Hate, 
Harrow the heart, and make it desolate ! 



72 BETTER TO BE. 

Albeit, they're a most disloyal train, 

And ask of Reason's arm, the curbing rein • 

Fear, coward like, e'en to itself untrue, 

Unmans us — till the weakest may subdue ! 

Envy, of emulation, takes the place, 

And leaves us pining in deserv'd disgrace ! 

Pride, meant to dignify — by swoln excess, 

Makes, of the world's respect — the little, less ! 

Revenge — of Justice meant the avenging sword. 

Oft turns its desp'rate weapon on its Lord ! 

Grief, long indulg'd, imbitters adverse fate, 

And Hate is punish'd, with a twofold hate ; 

Each passion, in its turn, would reign alone ^ 

i 
And drive its sovereign, Reason, from the throne, y 

Rut let not man complain — the fault's his own. f 

When passions of the heart possession take, 

'Tis not that they are strong, but Reason weak I 

Like children, who their parents' peace destroy, 

If timely check'd, had been their greatest joy. 

The Passions never suffered to control 

The Reason, give a vigour to the soul — 

Give to heroic deeds a fuller flow, 

And virtue's vivid charms a brighter glow \ 



IMttttV i® M$ 



■* 



BOOK FOURTH, 



ARGUMENT 

OF THE 

FOURTH BOOK. 

General Observations. The Leisure Hours of Life ask for 
Amusements. Sources of Rational Recreations infinite. Poesy. 
TheD**ama. Music. History. Painting. Sculpture. Astro- 
nomy. Geography. Natural Philosophy. Chymistry. Elec- 
tricity. Metaphysics. Mechanics. The Library. Active A- 
musements. 



MttttV to Mt* 



BOOK FOURTH, 



RATIONAL RECREATIONS. 

When first mankind, with social power endu'd 3 
Forsook the lonely shades of solitude, 
Arms, and the ruder arts, engag'd his care, 
Labor, his business, and his pleasure war, 
Safety, and homely fare, at first suffice, 
His drink the spring — his canopy the skies ; 
But these attained, his wishes still aspire, 
And each attainment adds a new desire ; 
The useful arts, with perfect skill, are taught, 
And matter learns, almost, to mimic thought : 
g 2 



i;p BETTER TO BF:. 

Who erst, the chace, his manly valor's pride, 
With food and raiment — all his wants supply'd, 
Now, scarce in nature's ample field can find 
Aught fitting the luxuriance of his mind. 
Fool, as he was, a novice in life's art, 
lie found a restless vacuum in his heart ; 
His nobler appetites — his mental taste, 
Had ne'er indulg'd in science' rich repast, 
Where not satiety, itself can cloy^ 
But still enjoying, he might still enjoy. 

Not all the bustle of a busy life ; 
Not all the struggles of contentious strife ; 
Nor all that interest, duty e'er enjoin'd 
Can find employment for the active mind ; 
Great Caesar, destin'd mighty w r ars to wage, 
Found leisure to enrich the historic page ; 
And Frederick, warring with a host of foes, 
For life, a crown ! a kingdom ! woo'd the muse. 
The void of life, agreeably to fill, 
Brightens our joys, and softens every ill ; 
Though dissipation's round, the gay invite, 
And pleasure's crowded court, to joy incite. 



BETTER TO-BE. 

Yet, will the leisure hours, that oft obtrude, 
Darken the dreary shades of solitude ; 
But Providence, e'en to our weakness kind, 
Has proper pleasures for such hours assign'd ; 
Pleasures that suit the shelter of the shade, 
Nor need from others adventitious aid ; 
And all that from our social feelings flow. 
That in refin'd societies we know. 
Such are the pleasures Poesy affords^ 
So, with the feelings, Music's strain accords ; 
The Sciences, and every liberal art, 
Ecstatic pleasures to the soul impart. 

Firsts Poesy, with lyre divinely strung, 
Delights with numbers, and the charm of song :• 
Celestial maid ! O, when my life was^ new, 
And every pulse to love, and joy, beat true, 
How would thy magic power my heart dilate, 
And give me joy amidst my adverse fate ! 
Careless though others bask'd in fortune's shine,, 
If but one favor of the muse were mine ; 
But, ah ! seduced by fortune's glitt'ring ray, 
My truant heart forsook the muses' sway ; 



80 



BETTER TO BE. 



The fickle Goddess, why did I believe ? 
Smiled to betray, and promis'd to deceive! 

From golden visions, I at length awake, 
u Convinced, too late, I find my fond mistake ; 
By fortune fool' d, all compact I refuse, 
W once more seek the favors of the muse-, 

Too late, adventurous, I attempt new lays, 
But grant my purpose pure-I ask no bays ; 
My Muse's flight's below the critick'sann 

They'd not chip wings that soar not after fame J 

Butiftheirrigidlawse^dtoall, 

Why, be it so, 1 have not far to fall* 

Sweet Poesy, 'tis thy enchantment warms 
reenrapWdbreast^ndheightensnature'scharm, 

To generous feelings gives a freer flow, 
-Ynd fancy's fictions a more vivid glow- 
Touches the tender passions of the heart, 

^nd firmer vigor to the nerves impart; 
Bids us to nobly dare, and brace our arm 
To meet, when honor calls, the fierce alarm; 

* The idea e^essed La this line is borrowed fro. ftrifr. 
Backwoodsman. 



BETTER TO BE. 81 

Softens the soul to pity, e'en, a foe, 
And opes the bosom to the plaints of wo; 
Gladdens the heart at friend's or country's weal, 
And makes the joyful, still, more joyous feel; 
Bestrews life's rugged road with fancy's flowers, 
Bids langour smile, and cheers its heavy hours, 
And must the gentle Godfry be forgot, 
To thee, my country, native town, a blot! 
When life was new, none favored of the nine, 
E'er sung, to me, a strain more sweet than thine ! 
From themes, my muse, advent'rous, has essay'd, 
One line may hope to 'scape oblivion's shade,. 
I'd consecrate thy worth, and cause to wave 
The cypress tree, o'er thy untimely grave ; 
Resuscitate a portion of thy fame, 
And wake to mem'ry thy forgotten name. 

Thy offsprings, Poesy, with magic arts, 
Awake the latent feelings of our hearty j^ c 
Though much abused, the Drama's graceful pain 
Superior shine— the fairest of the fair. 
'Tis theirs each vicious passion to control, 
At once to charm, and harmonize the soul : 



82 BETTER TO BE. 

In generous hearts to raise ambition's fire, 
To, nobly, emulate what they admire ; 
Tales of past times, enraptured, to renew, 
And raise heroic actions to the view ; 
From others' ills a blessing to translate, 
And teach instruction at the cheapest rate. 
This taught mankind the value of a sigh r 
Why sorrow pleas'd in virtuous sympathy ; 
While that , the terror of each knave and fool, 
Made folly feel the lash of ridicule. 

Music, all hail ! descendant of the sky, 
Twin-sister of celestial Poesy; 
Sweet soother of the sympathetic breast, 
Thou giv'st to dull and dreary life a zest. 
'Tis thou irripart'st to joy its highest glee, 
Pleasure, improved by thee, is ecstasy ; 
And cank'rmg care, and weeping wo depart, 
If tlry sweet strains but vibrate on the heart; 
In love's sweet passion, too, thou reign'st supreme. 
For sure, who own thee not, of love, but dream ; 



BETTER TO BE, 83 

Thou sooth'st the lover's pains, his joys improve, 

And warm'st the coldest heart estrang'd to love. 

When thy shrill clarion sounds the fierce alarm. 

The heart distends, the patriot passions warm, 

Fear from the hardy hero's bosom flies ! 

He nobly conquers, or he bravely dies. 

And it is thine a solace to impart, 

When hope, long lost, leaves desolate the heart ; 

When keenest ills the wo-worn breast annoy, 

Thou e'en can'st give a melancholy joy. 

When David's Harp attunes the enraptured soul, 

How does it all our earthly thoughts control ? 

Sweet as the spices from Arabia driven, 

Thou waft'st the off 'rings of the heart to Heav'n ! 

Thine, CJio, is the task — Historic Muse — 
From ancient lore, pure precepts to infuse ; 
To give our leisure hours a mental treat, 
And, happ'ly join the useful and the sweet; 
To touch the heart with tales of other timesj 
To raise abhorrence at a tyrant's crimes, 



84 BETTER TO BE. 

To fire with emulation's noble flame, 
By just encomiums of a deathless name. 
The latent causes, by thy page, to tell 
Why Empires, in succession, rose and fell, 
In gen'rous hearts to raise ambitious fires, 
And wake a wish to be what it admires. 
In apathy, is there a heart so lost — 
A heart so chilPd by dull indifPrence' frost — 
As not to feel ecstatic transports flow, 
When godlike virtue triumphs o'er its foe ? 
As not to feel indignant passion's swell, 
When vice has conquer'd, and the virtuous fell ? 
When good Camillus, banish'd and disgrac'd, 
Still felt the patriot passions warm his breast, 
Flew to his country's aid, when hope was lost, 
And chas'd away proud Brennus' hostile host ? 
What heart but swells with conscious pride elate 
That little man could be so truly great! 
When treach'rous Cortes, by his wily art, 
Betray'd great Montezuma's guileless heart; 
By fraud effects what force conld not command, 
And scatter'd ruin o'er a happy land ! 



BETTER TO BE. 

Who, but with honest indignation fraught. 
His mem'ry curses, who such ruin wrought ! 
And feels approving thoughts his heart distend* 
That execrates so vile — so foul a fiend ! 

Queen of the rainbow tints, thy magic art 
Can, 'to the pictured canvass, life impart ! 
By thy enchantment the plain surface swells, 
In forms rotund — high hills, and shady dells ; 
Perspective light and shade by thee combiu'd.. 
Give a true image of the artist's mind, 
Bids nature's fairest forms before us rise 
And thrill with wonder our transported eyes. 
'Tis thou alone can'st time and space subdue, 
Things, ages past, and distant, bring to view ; 
Preserve the likeness of the long-lost friend, 
And all, but life, from time and death defend, 
West 1 let me pay a tribute here to thee ! 
Townsman, and neighbor to my family ; 
With worth, like thine, 'tis no ignoble pride 
By ties of country, e'en, to be allied, — 
First Painter of our land — as first in name. 
Placed high by Britain, in the rolls of fame — 
H 



86 BETTER TO BE. 

From thine we may presage our country's fate, • 
That future Wests shall rise to make her great. 

Sculpture, thy elder sister, next we greet, 
That yields a pleasure as refined as sweet ! 
Though made subservient, in the olden times, 
To superstition's dark mysterious crimes, 
Who, idols made Thee make, of wood or stone, 
That brought, on man, the wrath of Heaven down I 
Yet man cannot too much thy favors prize, 
Thou taught'st him first his thoughts to realize 
By picture writing, hieroglyphic art, 
That gave the means, ideas to impart 
To others, far remov'd, in time and place — r 
As printing now, first boon of heavenly grace ! 

Nor charms of Music — nor sweet power of Song, 
Can give the heart a sentiment more strong, 
Than the expression which thy chisels give 
To blocks of marble, made almost to live !—* 
In other arts we imitation see, 
But thou'rt of nature a fac simile ! 



BETTER TO BE, 87 

But if the mind a higher range delights, 
And loves to follow Science' bolder flights. 
Invoke Urania ! — penetrate the sky, 
And view the wonders of Astronomy ! 
O ! what are words ! how impotent and weak, 
The vast conceptions of the mind to speak ! 
When on some cloudless, clear, cold, starry night. 
We view the glowing streams of vivid light, 
That studs the arch of heaven with brilliant rays, 
And crowded systems to the sight displays ! 
The planets running their eternal round, 
Majestic ! through th' ethereal space profound, 
While comets by electric impulse driven, 
Wheel their eccentric course through azure heaven ! 

What is this world? we would-be great men, what? 
But pigmies, sporting on a point — a spot ! 
So, when compared to the stupendous whole, 
Man shrinks to nought ! — but his immortal soul 
How great ! — form'd with capacities to see 
God's works in their sublime immensity t 



88 BETTER TO BE. 

But, though It less may strike, the joy's as great* 
This wond'rous world of ours to contemplate ! 
How sweet to learn Geography — from thee, 
Each continent, and ocean, river, sea — 
To learn the laws that rule Earth's annual course 
Round So], sublime ! — of light and heat the source! 
How its oblique position to the sphere 
Gives all the varied seasons of the year ; 
That, hence, o'er earth — the sun's constraint to stray. 
Through the ecliptic's, spiral, winding, way. 

Next, natural, knowledge, offers thee her page, 
Rich, with whate'er, can interest, the sage ; 
Three kingdoms own her sway — first all who live^ 
Next, all, who vegetative life receive^— 
The Fossile last— though first created thing — 
And, source, from whence all earthly beings spring; 
These, at thy call, their ample treasures spread, 
Amuse the mind, while they instruction shed ; 
Shall, e'en, what gold can't buy — lost time repay & 
And chase the gloom from many a rainy day. 



BETTER TO E^* 39 

But if, to deep research, thy soul's inclin'd, 
And matter's latent properties would find, 
The chymist's art thy wish will gratify, 
And nature's treasures spread before thine eye , 
Nor, useless, are the hours— -nor, void of joy ! 
The Laborat'ry's mysteries employ. 
If true Philosophy, thy mind delight, 
Where theory, and experiment unite ; 
Here, modern Chymistry, all arts excels, 
That, each, hypothesis, unproved, expels — 
And, in a few short years, more light hath thrown 
On Nature's Laws, than ages past have done ; 
Yet, with this aid^— the wisest of the wise, 
Know, at the most— but matter's properties! 
How little this to know— and yet how much ! 
Man's limited capacity is such ! 

Next, the Electric Fluid's subtile flame, 
No small attention from the curious claim- 
Stupendous agent of ihe Deity ! 
In nature's wonderful economy— 



90 BETTER TO BE, 

Cause, omnipresent, whose all potent arm, 
Dispenses gen'ral good, or partial harm ; 
Thou guid'st the comet's wide eccentric course, 
And giv'st the earthquake its overwhelming force. 

Science of mind — the Metaphysic Lore! 
The internal world ! say would'st thou these explore ? 
O ! ponder well before thou mak'st the attempt, 
Or, hope not, from mishap, to be exempt; 
Tho' Locke and Bacon, have those realms essay ed 5 
Yet, far from perfect,, are the Charts they've made- 
Metaphysicians, of no mean repute, 
Matter's existence— -strenuously dispute t 
Hence, by induction — they pretend to find, 
That nought exists exterior to the mind ! 
The Sun, the Earth and System Planetary-— 
Are — so are mankind too— imaginary ! 
Sure, when absurdities, like these can pose, 
Men, who in arts, to eminence have rose — 
! you who've no pretensions to the seer, 
Tread on this mystick ground with cautious fear ;■ 



BETTER TO B£. 9-1 

Yet, if to subtiie essence of the mind. 

And deep research of thought, thy soul's inclin'd ; 

If on thy favor'd mind, from Heaven, a ray ^ 

Of truth, beams bright, to light thee on thy way, y 

The muse would not inhibit the essay ; j 

Take Locke, and Reed, and Hardy, for thy guide % T 

Avoid, of vain Philosophy — the pride ; 

Then after years of study, thou wilt own 

Of mind's pure essence — little can be known* 

Though first in estimation — last in place — • 
By fools despis'd Mechanics — deign to grace 
With thy lov'd name, my unambitious lays 
That would be useful, but can't hope for praise a 

When out of Chaos, rose, this wond'rous earthy 
And, the Creation, bursted into birth ! 
Thou wert instructed, by the great first Cause, 
To establish Nature's everlasting Laws ! 
And every Planet, rolling in its sphere, 
Thy wisdom, and the Almighty's power declare f- 
And, what, were man without thee ? e'en the brute 
But for thy aid, his empire would dispute I 



%% BETTER TO BE. 

Thou gav'st him arms, h taught' st him how to build ; 
To make the implements to till the field ; 
Cloths — coarse at first— to keep him from the cold. 
Till, want he fears not,|nor wild monsters, bold, 
Refinements, next — the sculptor's — painter's art— 
And architecture's rules, thou did'st impart, 
All, that mankind in polish'd life adorn, 
From arts, of thy device — alone, we learn, , 

In liberal arts, though Europe may excel, 
With us, the useful, most delight to dwell ; 
To Monarchies the muses e'er resort, 
And seek the sunshine of a splendid court ! 
Can Britain boast — or France hold up to fame 
One who can rival Fulton's, Evans' name^ 
In the mechanic science ! if there's one 
In their whole galaxy, 'tis Watt, alone. 



O! source, tame, of pleasure, and of pain 
Thee, I've invok'd— for others — not in vain; 
But still I o h—f or? thou tome 

Hast been the feujita] ... e f felicity ! 



BETTER TO BE. 93 

That kept the flame of hope forever bright. 
Nor left a cheerless day — nor gloomy night; 
Some project still thou held'st up to my eyes^ 
More deaiHo me than life's realities* 

But chief the Library yields a mental treat 
That, haply, blends the useful and the sweet ! 
Exhaustless store-house of the mind and though^ 
That, freely, offers all the wise have taught 
Since Letters, and Philology's blest art 
First taught men their ideas to impart. 
•* God ! theCreation ! Man ! — lay hid in night, 
•' God said, let letters be — and all was light !" 
E'en Nature's Book, who read, from truth how wide 
They stray, who have not letters for their guide. 

How blank the History of each age and clime* 
Through the dark vista of departed time, 
Did not the records which we meet with, here* 
Unfold the events of each succeeding year— ] 

O! what a privilege to man assigned, 
To realize the offsprings of the mind ! 

[(] the Library, 



94 BETTER TO BE. 

To know, that Nations, now, without a name 
Shall give to noble deeds the meed of Fame ! 
Language can't paint — e'en in its happiest flow 
Letters to Thee, what mortal beings owe — 
Thou antedat'st the knowledge Hope descries 
When the freed spirit mounts the etherial skies, 
And mak'st us hold sweet converse — face to face 
With the first Worthies of the human race 1 

Methinks, while Tomes, on Tomes around me lie, 
All that survive the Grave — and cannot die, 
The immortal minds of all the Wise and Good 
Before me stand, in mild complacent mood, 
And, freely, lay before my astonish'd eyes 
The Knowledge of near fifty Centuries! 

The Sacred writers— greatest, first, and best 

Preeminently stand above the rest! 

They shev^our Maker, merciful and good, 

Though, oft, their myst'ries are not understood, 

And, plainly, teach the Duties which we owe 

To the great Source, from whence all blessings flow. 



BETTER TO BE. 96 

Next, follow, those whose wond'rous writings tell 
How mighty Empires rose — declined, and fell ! 
And while they paint the manners of each age 
Afford a moral lesson in each page. 
Immortal Greece ! where cv'ry first Essay 
Exalted Arts to their meridian day ! 
And left to Genius of more modern date 
The humble task — to admire, and imitate. 
To my rapt eyes a splendid Group appears 
Whose Fame still brightens with the flow of years ! 
Heroditus — whose works superior shine 
Was the Historic Muse's boast, and Thine ! 
Impartial Thucidides— who e'en on foes, 
When fact requir'd, an eulogy bestows — 
Whose elegance of style, and reasoning strong 
Gave Truth, and Prose, a charm scarce known to song. 
Next, Xenophbn, who his own tale relates 
And caused, in part, the great events he states ! 
Thine Aristotle — first who taught mankind 
The mysteries of matter, and of mind ! 
While few excel in one— his mighty soul 
Of Arts and Sciences, embraced the whole ! 



98 BETTER TO B£. 

Thine, Plato, Socrates— -both great and good 
With virtue, wisdom— more than man's, endued 
Who, while tbey paint the future blest abode, 
By Nature's light discovered Nature's God ! 
And He whose fame the longest, brightest shone 
Homer, the boast of Nature, was thy own ! 
All these, with many others, scarce in fame less high, 
In one bright circle greet my fancy's eye : 
Then, as existence' wave, through time, rolls on 
A race, arises, in life's horizon^ 
Rivals to Greece™ not less in Arts than Arms, 
The Sons of Rome — who felt the Muses' charms^ 
In Arts they but a second place can claim 
For there, the first in Time, is first in fame- 
Had Maro, sung the wrath of Peleus' Son 
In Homer's days*, he equal fame had won. 
The Constellations of the Augustean Age 
Our Libraries fill with learning's brightest page, 
Letters, at length, declined, and fell. w r ith Rome 
And the Dark Ages, spread a gen'ral gloom 5 
But Gothic rage— nor superstition's ire 
Could not extinguish Genius' latent fire—* 



BETTER TO BE. 97 

Enough, remained, to spread a broader blaze 
Than e'er illumed proud Rome's — or Grecian days ; 
For, though the Alphabet — the boon of Heaven 
To favored Man, in ancient days was given ; 
Yet, to the Scribe, alone, was then confined 
The means to spread the effusions of the mind — 
How limited ! to what in modern dajs, 
The Typographic wond'rous art displays ! 
Now, unconfin'd, the flood of knowledge rolls 
From th' equatorial Regions to the Poles ! 

It were not good — nor was man ever made 
Exclusively, for sunshine, or for shade ; 
Both health, and happiness, require, that we 
Should, sometimes, studious — sometimes, active be. 
And, herein, nature hath — a mother kind, 
Found fit amusements, for each state of mind : 
And each, alternate, give to Life a zest, 
That makes man — if he would be — truly blest ! 
The pleasures which pertain to mind are sung — 
To joy? o^exercise, the Lyre's now strung. 



9S BETTER TO BE. 

By gracious Providence it is ordain' d 
That to some business, most men are constrain'dj 
And ihej arc, sure, possess'd of more than treasure, 
Whose business constitutes their greatest pleasure! 
Amusement — Im'rest — Exercise, unite 
And give their lives ineffable delight. 
The intervals of time, if such there be 
Devote to science, books or minstrelsy ; 
If an Agriculturist thou'rt — then 
Esteem thyself the happiest of men ! 
*Tis nature's, reason's, most approved estate, 
Where every requisite to pleasure meet. 
Blest in the joy it gives the passing hour, 
Blest in health-giving, life-sustaining power; 
E'en, should you deign, to hold the plough — albeit 
You'll sleep more sound — your bread will eat more 
But if to sedentary life confin'd, [sweet 

Amusements seek, of the more active kind, 
Each leisure hour, stray o'er the flow'ry meed, 
Or scour, the Forest, on the fiery steed ; 
Gymnastic exercises brace each nerve, 
And health, and pleasure's, double purpose serve ; 



BETTER TO BE. 99 

Nor let fastidious age, condemn, as wrong, 
The cheerful sports and pastimes of the young : 
Nought's wrong, that yields an innocent delight. 
Nor tends, the flowers of future hope to blight 



END OF BOOK FOURTH- 



$ m$ 



<«> 



BOOK FIFTH 



ARGUMENT 

OF THE 

FIFTH BOOK. 

Apostrophe to Variety. A Description of the Morning. Of 
the Evening. Of the Spring. Of the Summer. Of the Autumn, 
Of the Winter. 



<t 



BOOK FIFTH* 



DIVERSITIES OF NATURE, 

HAIL ! dear variety ! 'tis thy blest power, 
That gives a zest, that sweetens every hour. 
Heightens each dull sensation of our souls 5 
And all their languid lethargies controls — 
And lo ! kind nature, nothing to deny 
Adapts the world to man's propensity ; 
To fickle fancy gives some new delight, 
And, ere, one fades, rears others, not less bright 



106 BETTER TO BE. 

Morn, noon, and night, in due succession come 5 
The Wintry frost succeeds the Summer's bloom ; 
Infancy, Childhood, Manhood — then old age 
Stalks on, awhile— then quits their mortal stage ; 
Mine he the task, the varying scenes to trace 
And paint their influence on the human race. 

Can Nature's charm ^ delight thee ? — see the dawn 
Sheds a soft gleamy light across the lawn, 
I a; t purple streaks the coming day foreshow, 
Each moment heightening to a brighter glow, 
Ti { ) vivid tints of radiant rosy red 
Spread a brigia halo round Aurora's head : 
Refulgent Sol now climbs the Eastern hills, 
And his majestic globe of flame reveals. 
First of God's creatures— glorious orb of day ! 
Whence are thy beams— thy everlasting ray? 
Thou comest forth in awful beauty bright, 
Illum 5 ning nature with refulgent light. — 
Lo ! the dim stars hide their dlmmish'd heads, 
And the pale moon a glimmering twilight sheds ! 
But thou, alone, mov'st with self-giving force, 
And who shall be companion of thy course ! 



BETTER TO BE. 107 

The oaks decay — the towering mountains fall. 
And Cynthia, oft, from thee, relights her ball ; 
But thou, rejoicing with unaltered ray, 
Forever keep'st, unchang'd, th' ethereal way 
When the rude tempest rends th' affrighted skies, 
And thunder roils, and vivid lightning flies, 
Thy cheering beams pierce thro' the dark profound, 
Diffusing light, and life, to all around! 

Lo ! now the rosy horizontal ra3* s 
Tip the high hills, with a faint lambent blaze ! 
The dark green misty vallies, by degrees, 
Reflect his radiance from the waving trees. 
Hail, happy hour ! behold in every grove 
The feather'd songsters tune their notes of love, 
The flock, and herds, adown the slopy hill 
In sportive glee, evince, the joy they feel ; 
The busy bee, and the whole insect race, 
Their pleasure, by their playfulness express ; 
The glassy stream that yon steep chasm fills, 
Reflects the pendant pines, and hanging hills ; 
The finny tribe beneath the watery waste 
Hail the glad morn, and tell that they are blest. 



108 BETTER TO BE. 

The village now, pours forth its happy throng, 
From rest and slumber — cheerful, fresh, and strong ; 
The sturdy plough-boy } r okes the willing steer, 
And turns the tough glebe with his shining share : 
The milk-maid hastens to the pen, along, 
And carols, as she goes, a cheerful song; 
The school-boys next, with satchels in their hand, 
Ascend the hill, where church, h school-house stand ; 
Born free, they hate the prison of a school, 
And the stern tyrants, who their prison rule — 
Yet, the blithe morn, their youthful hearts, so gay. 
Inspires with joy, and chases fear away. 



Ascend yon hill — for now the god of day 
Gilds every object, with a brighter ray ; 
See ! craggy clifts, with laurels ever green, — 
See ! where the river winds, the hills, between ; 
The cheerful village see ! — the clatt'ring mill, 
The busy farm — the villa on the hill ; 
See ! smiling cultivation rears her head 
O'er fertile plains immeasurably spread ; 
Turn to the west, and view the grandest sight 
This world, of wonders, gives to yield delight ! 



I 



BETTER TO BE, 109 

The green descending hill ! the azure Sky ! 
And dark blue ocean ! — all in prospect lie ! 

Oh ! how the mind expands as these we trace^ 
And feels a pleasure language can't express ; 
See ! where yon gallant ship salutes the fort, 
As bearing up, to gain the wish'd-for port ; 
Where the brave crew, escap'd from toil and care 
Hope to embrace, all their fond hearts, hold dear ! 

Observe yon busy, bustling mart of trade, 
Where opulence its residence hath made ! 
See ! the tall ships — all ranged the strands along ; 
The close built stores — the ever-toiling throng — 
The city speading o'er the rising ground, 
With pointed spires, and towering turrets crown'd, 

O ! blest beyond what wealth can give, is he 
Whose soul, is charmed, with nature's scenery ; 
And, cold, must be the heart, a morn like this, 
Expands not, with an ecstacy of bliss ! 
What, though I call no spot of earth my own, 
K 



110 BETTER TO BE. 

Are not to me free nature's bounties shown ? 
A view of bills, my heart, more joy affords. 
Than, often, the possession to their lords. 
Let gratitude to God thy thoughts employ, 
That gave thee such capacities for joy. 

Now Sol emitting, horizontal, rays, 
O'er, western hills, a broader orb displays, 
Flings thro' the sky, his beams, of rosy red, 
And, in a blaze of glory, hides his head ! 
At length, the last faint streaks of day light fade. 
In folding nature in the gloom of shade ; 
But lo ! — the moon ascends with borrow'd rays, 
And light, and shade, in fainter tints displays ; 
Queen of the Heavenly host! that rul'st the nighty 
Faintly thou deck'st the hills with silver light ; — 
Sweetly thou smilest, on the shadowy scene, 
And shroudest nature in a darker green — 
Lo ! glitt'ring stars attend thy azure way, 
The clouds rejoice enlighten'd by thy ray; 
In full resplendence, now, thou rid'st on high, 
And lookest thro' the windows of the sky ; 



BETTER TO BE. Ill 

O'er tower, and tree, thou shed'st a gleamy light, 
And Ocean's foamy waves are clothed in white ; 
Hail ! shadowy silent night, thj r gentle sway ! 
Tir'cl with the toils, and pleasures of the day 
The animated world retires to rest, 
And in the bahny dews of sleep is blest — 
No sounds, obtrusive, the tir'd ear invade, 
Save from the cadence of the hoase case aide - 
Or, save, where, ever-wakeful, watch-clogs hay, 
The weary traveller, wand'ring, from hi| way : 
And, scarce, an object to the eyes appear, 
Save fancy's phantoms flitting thro' the air ! 
This is the muse, and contemplation's hour, 
When the wrapt' soul concentrates ail her power \ 
When eye, and ear, no common objects find. 
And Heaven's bright portals, open to the mind ! 
O ! through what depths of ether, now we see, 
The Sun, our bounds by day — at night infinity ! 
To the fix'd stars we pierce the blue expanse, 
And ask our hearts — ' Can these be made by chance;' 
Ye scenes which swell the mind to solemn thought. 
Men's monuments, before you, sink to nought ! 



112 BETTER TO BE. 

What a contracted point of time and space* 
Ambition's little vanities embrace ! 
O ! view yon arch of Heaven ! begemm'd with staf£, 
Which their great maker's mighty arm declares ! 
Systems on systems strike the astonish'd eyes 
And world on world continually arise ! — 
Science so clearly proves, that ignorance owns. 
The whole expanse ! a galaxy of suns ! 

! what a privilege vouch-saPd to man 

Tiie great — the wondrous works of God to scan ! 
Think, tho'tiess man, what pleasures there are given 
To those who contemplate the starry heaven, 
And all the solemn beauties of the night, 
That lift the soul in transports of delight ! 
Congenial to my mind's the mid-night gloom, 
Nor would my walks, avoid, the willow'd tomb ! 
In folly's vortex, whilst the gay are whirl'd, 

1 hold communion with the ether world— 
With, no unpleasing melancholy, trace, 

Of friends— long lost to me, the resting place. 

Thy vivid beauties who can paint ! oh ! Spring, 
Or who. the pleasures they impart, can sing: 



BETTER TO BE, 118 

See the bleak, boundless, barren, wintry waste, 
With every charm, by thy blest presence grae'd ! 
Where, late, the snow-drifts whel'd, the leafless thorn 5 
The flowering shrubs, the verdant vales adorn. 
Thy magick hand reanimates the scene , 
And spreads, o'er hills, and dales, thy mantle green; 
Nature rejoices — see ! the feather 'd throng, 
From grove, to grove, symphonious, pour their song. 
The sportive flocks, and herds, adown the meed, 
Skip o'er the lawn, and gambol as they feed- — 
And all is love, and joy ! — speak ye who prove, 
Who've hearts refin'd — the ecstasies of love ! 
And ye, who've souls, that nature's beauties charm, 
Does not the gen'ral joy your bosoms warm ? 
For hard must be the heart, and cold the breast 
That feels not joy, when all creation's blest. 






Next, sultry summer, pours his vivid ray, 
And in full vigour nature's charms array ; 
The thick'ning foliage forms a deeper shade? 
And piercing sunbeams, scarce, the gloom pervade; 

k 2 



114 BETTEH TO BE. 

The noon-tide walk, no more, our steps invite. 
But the cool stream, and shady bow'r delight : 
But, chief, the fragrant freshness of the dawn, 
Allures our footsteps, o'er the dewy lawn ; 
All gracious nature, does each sense supply. 
With objects, fitted, most, to gratify ; — 
How sweet to trace the margin of the stream, 
While trembling moon-beams o'er its surface gleam i 
Sweet the fresh fragrance of the hay — new shorn ; 
Pleasant to view, wide, waving, fields of corn ; 
How grateful to the taste, Pomona's stores, 
Which, with unsparing bounty, round she pours ; 
The wild fruits, hanging, from each shrub and tree ? 
Free nature's gift, to all her children free ! 
How sweet the berry tribe, that creep the ground, 
Or skirt the margin of our fields around $ 
Our orchards next ! — O ! knew we how to prize 
A costless boon— and yet beyond a price ! 
The mellow apple — -juicy peach — the pear- 
Repast delicious ! let our youth declare — 
The cool refreshing melon — viands for Gods 3 
Sweet as the ambrosia of their West abodes ! 



BETTER TO BE. 115 

These are the gifts of summer — doubly blest ! 
Blest in health giving power — blest in taste ; 
O ! knew we but our happiness — O ! man — ■ 
E'er act in unison with nature's plan ; 
She bids thee — bribes thee — at this time to spare 
Beings that live — O ! listen — and beware ! — 
For, if with blood, your hands, ye shall imbue, 
'Twill call for vengeance— and shall have it tooi< 
Febrile, in summer's heat's the fervid food, 
And fell disease, shall pay the price of blood ! 
Forbear the sanguine feast, if health ye prize, 
Your garden fitter luxuries supplies ; — 
A thousand delicacies — herbs, fruits — flowers 
Unstained w T ith blood — insatiate man—are ours V 
What Chymic skill — what Culinary art 
Did such exquisite flavers, e'er, impart ? 

See, just dismiss'd from school, yon little train, 
Hast'ning, with eager steps, across the plain, 
Where, o'er the winding stream, the willows wave> 
Their fervent limbs, in the cool flood to lave ; 
Blest nature's simple joys ! — fortune nor art, 
A bliss to equal theirs, did ne'er impart. 



■118 BETTER TO BE. 

Nor let maturer years, too cautious, fear, 
Discreetly tim'd — the envy'd bliss to share ; 
Heartless debility, it can control, 
And give a flow of spirits to the soul ; 
How good, is God! who gave the aptitude 
To pleasure, in each act, that tends to good. 

Far to the south — his northern circuit run, 
With march sublime, proceeds th 5 ethereal sun ! 
Herbs— fruits, and flowers, his harbingers appear. 
An J smiling plenty follow in the rear ; 
Fruitive Autumn comes, by Ceres crown'd, 
And spreads her stores, immeasurably, round ! 
To nature's children, her rich treasures gives, 
: " And spreads a common feast to all that lives;' 5 
What though her many-coloured mantle — sheen, 
Appear less gay, than spring more vivid green j 
What though, nor Jessamine, nor rose appear, 
Yet some peculiar charms, still grace the year; 
The philanthropic heart dilates to see 
Stores that shall meet the year's emergency ! 
That o'er the fields, in rich profusion spread, 
And leave, for wintry wants, no cause of dread, 



BETTER TO BE* 11? 

And when the evening of the day shall come, 
To celebrate the joyful harvest-home! 
In social bands, the cheerful village, meet, 
And pass the night in rural pastimes, sweet ! 
The rustic dance, and choral strain go round, 
While the rude tamborine, and lute resound ; 
Meantime the plain — though plentiful repast, 
For some too long delay 'd — appears at last- 
Sated, at length-— e'en with festivity, 
With light-hearts to their happy homes they hie. 

The shorten'd day, and desolated plain 
Proclaims rude winter's unpropitious reign ; 
The snow-storms sharp, thro 5 leafless forests sweejx. 
And ruder tempests, harrow up the deep ; 
Then keener cold succeeds, and clearer skies, 
And snow-clad plains that pain the dazzled eyes I 
Invigorating cold ! — great source of health, 
Thou glv'st a boon, beyond the price of wealth ; 
Nor is the season joyless— see the throng 
Hast'ning to yonder icy plain. along 5 
Where the glib glassy surface, all invites 
To prove how manjy exercise delights : 



■118 BETTER TO BE. 

Poised on the polished steel-shod skates — a few 
Exhibit feats ! we scarce believe are true ! — 
They wheel in mazj- circles ! then, anon 
Swift as the wind thzy scud, directly on — 
Fantastic figures, forming, in the frost, 
And warm their blood, till sense of cold is lost: 
And when the broad full moon, some clear cold night 
Mimicks the day — with scarce a fainter light ; 
Then lads and lasses, in their best array 
Scour o'er the country in the flying sleigh ! 
Adventurous climb the glassy hills, so steep. 
And d 07/11 thsi? slopy sides, more swiftly sweep ! 

But winter wakens feelings in the mind, 
That gives the heart a pleasure more refined ; 
When the cold sleaty storm exerts its ire, 
The little circle gather round the fire — 
Thither, perhaps, by stress of weather driven 
Some storm-beat sailor seeks their friendly haven— 
Recounts escapes from ship-wreck, or sea-fight, 
And cheats—" with tales of other times," the night. 




BETTER TO BE, J J 9 

But vain the Poet's art—though often tried 
To paint the pleasures of the fire-side. 
When kindred souls-a blest assemblage greet 
And Wit, and Wisdom-Reason join to treat. 

Oh ! who that listens to the bleak north-west I 
But feels compassion kindle in his breast, 
Reckless, the feeling heart can never be,' 
Of the poor houseless heirs of misery— 
But oh ! let Pity ne'er indulge a sigh 
But's follow'd by some deed of charity ; 
Go light the fire-administer the food ' 
To those whom cold and hunger have subdu'd j 
The sigh may heave-tears twinkle in the eye 
Yet leave the wretch, by cold, and want, to die* 



END OF BOOK FIFTH, 



Mtttt* t® M$* 



BOOK SIXTH 



ARGUMENT 

OP THE 

SIXTH BOOK. 

Life like Nature has its Seasons. Reflections on Infancy. 0» 
Childhood- On Manhood. On Old Age. On Sleep, ©r> 
Death. 



ttttv i® M$+ 



BOOK SIXTH. 



Life has its seasons too, that never cloy 
But keep us floating on a flood of joy — 
Some pleasing novelty each era brings, 
And o'er life's path the flowers of fancy flings ; 
Devoid of hope and fear — first Infancy 
Receives its lot of bliss — O, God! from thee. 
Thou giv'st a flow of spirits to the mind, 
And innate pleasures, not to be defin'd ; 
The smiling Infant with joy, sparkling eyes 
Asks but nutrition, health, and exercise ; 
Tho' oft, its sighs, and sobs, expresses grief, 
3 Tis thus it calls for succour, and reliefs- 
Its days of pleasure many — sorrows few, 
And these, subservient to its welfare toe. 



126 BETTER TO BE. 

Childhood, the may of life, next follows ok 
Oh ! days forever dear — too quickly flown ! 
How sweet in recollection's vivid, view, 
The hours, and scenes, where first my breath I drew! 
When free from anxious care, and vexing strife, 
Time flew on pleasure's wings, and gave a life to life! 
How oft — still memory well records the time, 
Memory tenacious of the youthful prime, 
Tempted by spring's all vivifying ray, 
I've took my careless, solitary, way — 
And sought the banks of schoolkill's limpid tide 
And sigh'd for flow r ers that bloom'd on t'other side ! 
For youthful fancy brightens every scene, 
The flowers appear'd more fair — the grass more green! 
Swift fly the hours when fancy's meteors blaze, 
And hope's bright sunshine spreads her beamy rays— 
Too short I found the longest summer's day, 
No lamb that wanton'd o'er the lawn so gay : 
Childhood's the reign of fancy — all is new 
And int'rest kindles at each changing view; 
And wakes a wish, for knowledge, in the breast* 
That yields a joy, that makes our being blest.: 



BETTER TO BE. 12* 

From life's first dawn, our nature was endued 
With principles, all tending to our good ; 
The love of God, the love of human kind. 
Are also, innate motives of the mind, 
Pliant and flexible, the tender shoots, 
And culture, only, can ensure their fruits ; 
Ye parents — teachers — rulers, know this tvi 
3 Tis you ennoble, or debase our youth ! 
"Tis as your precepts, well, or ill, ye plan, 
Ye make the wretch, or dignify the man ! 

Ripen'd, at lengthy by all-maturing time. 
With hopes, elate, youth enters Manhood's prime; 
Vigorous, and strong, as sol's meridian ray 
Man joyful meets, of life, the bustling day; 
High fiush'd with hopes— he'd rather court than shun 
Dangers, and toils, that in his wa}^ are thrown j 
Resistless ardour, oft, its point, will gain ; 
And oft, too sanguine, sore defeats sustain' 
By foes despis'd, and toil, too oft, renew'd, 
Wounded, and tired, we leave the field, subdu'd ; 
But hope predominates, and men, at length, 
Know, better how, to estimate their strength : 



128 BETTER TO BE. 

With better auspices renew the fight, 

And in more equal contest, find delight; 

And our best joys, from cradle, to the tomb 5 

Arise, from difficulties overcome, 

And all who know their happiness — know this 

That care, and labour, are the price of bliss: 

Wants, and desires — e'en to infinitude 

Presents new objects, still to be pursued, 

Ambition — avarice — all that's mean, or great. 

The eager soul, to action, stimulate! 

In war, in council, many seek — alone, 

Their country's good, forgetful of their own : 

And they are happy, and approving Heaven 

Gives them a name ! — first gift that could be given! 

Distinction — Oh ! disguise it as we can, 

Is the first object, of the heart of man ! 

Save, what may nature's urgent wants suffice,? 

All else, for this we freely sacrifice, 

And, when directed to its proper end, 

Incites to action, and is virtue's friend ! 

Virtue and love of fame — allied by fata 

In gen'rous minds we cannot separate $ 



SETTER TO BE. 129 

Mankind are with capacities endued, 

And all the means that minister to good ; 

Prompted his various duties to fulfil 

By instincts — Passions— call them what you will— 

And that our duties may the more attract, 

We're lured by pleasure, to the very act ; 

In pride of health, and strength, and mental powers 

Man, in his prime, enjoys his blissful hours j 

The earth his heritage, his sovereign nod 

The brutes obey, as if a demi God ! 

Such nature made him, but she left him free, 

And plac'd before him bliss or misery. 

Of all the causes that conduce to ill, 

That blinds the judgement, and perverts the wil^ 

That can the hearts best purposes controu^ 

Is Indolence, the poison of the soul. 

Vice, ignorance, folly follow in his train, 

And monkish superstition, life's worst bane 

Rather to dissipation's vortex, hie 

Than live, a life, of dull inanity, 

Broad ruin follows both, yet that's the best 

That rids the nation soonest of its pest ! 



130 BETTEB TO BE, 

Who think, from toil may some exemption claim., 
Ment'ly, or physic'ly employ'd 's the same — 
Engagement's every thing, and they, the worst. 
Who neither think, nor act, of men, are curst : 
But when, exalted by ambition's fires 
Manhood, to generous noble deeds aspires ; 
When in their friend's, or in their country's caus^ 5 
Men, bravely, seek for honor and applause j 
Or nobly, emulous in science' lore 
Essay, untravelled regions to explore ! 
Or far from bustle of ambition's strife, 
Who cultivate the humbler arts of life 
Ave happy— and kind Heaven their hearts to wet! 
To virtue — pours its blessings on their head. 

As gaily floating down time's billowy tide 
Into the haven of old age we glide, 
Winter of life, ! of which such tales are told, 
Bug-bear to youth, and terror of the old ! 
Long'd for by all — so lov'd is life by men,— ^ 
Dreaded, tho' wish'd— and yet how few attain— 
But, trust me, man's, not nature's is the fault, 
That evn, to name it, makes the heart revolt ! 



BETTER TO BE. 131 

For long, and lorn, to him's the loit'ring day 
Whose mind is juvenile, and locks are grey j 
Who, to no pleasure ever made pretence, 
But such as were extern — or flow'd from sense ; 
Whom recollection pains — the present tires, 
The future, with no pleasing hope, inspires. 

But in the vale of years, how blest his lot^, 
Who'd wish no action of his life forgot ; 
With pleasing retrospection views the past, 
Feels no remorse — his present joys to blast ^ 
Fears not the future — hopes to be forgiven, 
And puts his trust, and confidence in heaven ! 

Store well your minds, in manhood, and in youth 
With various knowledge, and eternal truth — 
Then, when the gay forsake you — as they will— ^ 
When age, the current of your blood, shall chill, * 
You'll see the young pass by — and pleas'd survey 
The joys that gladden'd once your youthful day! 
Enough for you, that pleasures of the mind, 
Afford a recreation more refined ; 



132 BETTER TO BE. 

Ready to join the gay in social mood, 
Yet, never lonely when in solitude. 

Oh ! would' st thou lengthen life, and make it swee? 
Beware the tempting bowl — the social treat ; 
Full oft the bane of youth, but let not age 
In the unequal contest e'er engage ; 
The conduits for the blood will scarce contain^ 
The common flow — but hurried on amain 
It rushes, refluent, on the head, and heart, 
And bids the soul prepared, or not, depart ! 

Hear what the vet'ran old Carnaro says, 
Who proved his precepts, by his lengthen'd days v. 
Fond of the, miscall'd, pleasures of the world 
His youth in dissipation's vortex, whirl'd ; 
Bankrupt in health, in fortune, and in fame, 
It but remained to die or to reclaim — 
He chose the latter — temp'rance gave him heal% 
Frugal industry — a good name and wealth. 

"O holy! happy! thrice blest temperance, 
* Tis thou" he said " Alone, can good dispense^ 



BETTER TO BE. 133 

** Brighten with health and peace life's evening ray, 

" And with sweet flow'rs of Joy, bestrew our way : 

" Oh ! lost in error, they, who, vainly, deem 

" No beam of joy, on life's last stage, can gleam 1 

" Now, verging fast, to four-score years, and ten. 

" There live, perhaps, than me, few happier men ; 

" Let those aver, who see me, every day, 

" Cheerful as youth, and more serenely gay — 

" They can attest, my days are never spent, 

" In languor dull, or gloomy discontent. 

" Nor, wholly, useless is the life, I lead, 

" I still can mount, with ease, my favorite steed : 

" Project, and see improvements round me made. 

" That make the swamp a cultivated glade ; 

" My friends, I yet can serve — the poor relieve— 

" For sorow still have tears— and still, asigh can heave. 

" Were I not happy, I should be a wretch, 

" Having such store of blessings in my reach : 

"In cheerful converse, with my numerous friends 

" I pass my hours, when shadowy night descends ; 

" Or to the muse an idle hour devote, 

"Who, if my friends say true, regards my suit: 



134 BETTER TO BL, 

" While the fresh morning's fragrant breezes blow, 
" 1 range o'er hills, or to my villa go ; 
w And, when, inclined to rest, or shun the heat, 
" My Lib'ry offers me a mental treat ! 

" O ! garrulous old age too long might dwell 
" On the lov'd theme, did I attempt to tell, 
" The joys with which my offspring thrill my heart 
"That feelings Parents only feel impart! 
" In them's renew'd my being, as my name, 
" And I'm e'en here immortalized in them ! 

u Oft, to the cheerful mind, long life is lent, 
" The soul, being loath, to leave its tenement — 
" For, tho' futurity more bright appears, 
"Eternity can spare a few brief years, 
"And, my experience, can, the truth, attest, 
" Of all life's stages, age is the most blest ! 
" But, not unmindful, of the awful day, 
" When I too, must the debt of nature pay ; 
" Resign'd, I'll meet my fate — nor fear th' event 
" Assur'd, the summons is in mercy, sent— 



BETTER TO BE. 136 

" Death, to old age, is but of life the close, 

11 Not a fierce struggle, but a sweet repose ; 

" The blessings, gracious God has given me here, 

u Leave for my future fate, no cause of fear, 

"Death e'en shall make Hope's taper brighter, blaze, 

-'• And, my last aspirations, be of praise." 

Prophetic of himself, thus spoke the sage, 

Who liv'd, and died, the wonder of his Age ; 

An hundred happy years his precepts test ! 

His life was long, death instant, and both blest ! 

O ! when life's lamp sheds a still feebler ray, 
And worn out nature, verges, to decay ; 
When the last heave, of life's expiring breath, 
Consigns me to the long, long sleep of death ; 
When, as my life unnoticed — o'er my grave, 
With wintry winds, wild weeping willows wave. 
Grant Heaven, that as I've liv'd, I die content, 
My pledge, of future bliss, a life, well spent — 
What tho' too low, my lot, for deeds of mine, 
Through future days to cause one ray to shine ; 
Yet may the little circle, dear to me, 



136 BETTER TO BE, 

Cherish, but not with grief, my memory — 
And may r of mis'ry's heirs, the moisten'd eye 
Declare, 1 ne'er refused, their griefs a sigh. 

All hail ! sweet soother, renovating sleep ! 
Friend to the woe-worn wretch who wakes to weep— 
Tho 5 foes may fleer, or fickle fortune frown, 
Thou mak'st the straw-strown couch a bed of down y 
Knock'st off the prisoner's chains and set'st him free, 
And steep'st his senses, in felicity. 
Free from the bonds impos'd by time and space 
Our long-lost friends thou giv'st to our embrace, 
Tho' ocean roll between his dreary wave, 
And fates have laid them in the gloomy grave. 
Mysterious visions of the solemn night ! 
How, oft, ye give the soul supreme delight- 
Life's former images bring to our view 
And fancy's fairy forms, present as true* 

How oft, when from the world's coutumely, 
I've almost thought 'twere better not to be, 
Than see the slights— more sharp than sharpen'd steel 



BETTER TO BE. 137 

Which worth, in want, from the unfeeling feel — 

I've thrown me on my agonizing bed 

With heavy heart, and with an aching head — 

Somnific sorrow soon has seal'd my eyes, 

And fancy's Fairy forms before me rise ! 

Anon, transported down the stream pf time 

I view the scenes of joyful manhood's prime ; 

Or the blithe days survey, when life was new 

And youth's Elysium bursts upon my view ! 

The stream which I so oft with rapture trac'd — 

Friends 1 with ecstacy so oft embrac'd — 

Scenes, still to recollection, ever dear, 

All wake to life, and start affection's tear ! 

On Schuylkill's banks, again, in thought I stray, 

Where oft, I've past the joyful holy day — 

As when, subjected to instruction's rule, 

I pass'd my cheerful morn of life, at school 

At Philabelphia — as 'twas wont to be 

In its primeval, pure, philanthropy— 

Or trace the shores of Frankfort's winding stream — 

Haunts of my youth — now airy fancy's dream : 

m2 



138 BETTER TO BE. 

Piera's Nymphs, 'twas first I sigh'd for, there, 
And sooth to say, not only Ida's fair — 

Next, warm'dby friendship, wayward fancy strays 
And Rush — the patron of my first essays, 
And James — who bade my unfledged muse aspire — 
Who knew, himself, to touch the tuneful lyre ; 
Franklin, and Rittenhouse — both high in fame ! 
And many worthies, once of honor'd name ! 
And many, who, still breath the vital air, 
Assume, the semblance, they were wont to wear, 
As erst, in early life, they stand confess'd 
And thrill with rapture my transported breast ! 
Till pain'd with very pleasure's o'er-wrought strife [' 
I wake to the realities of life. 

Sure, 'tis no trifling portion of the span 
Allotted as the too few days of man, 
That's spent in sleep-- How best to make it blest 
Is virtue's privilege and wisdom's test. 
O ! would'st thou prove the luxury of sleep, 
And in her dews thy wearied spirits steep. 



BETTER TO BE. 139 

Nor dread of Incubus' th' vengeful ire— 

" Hydras, nor Gorgo»s — nor Chymeras dire' 1 

Then be what God design'd thee — kind and good 

With heart overflowing with compassion's mood, 

No wish — except in science — to contend, 

Where virtue meets a rival, as a friend, 

Each thought, submitted, to the will of heaven, 

No friend unaided — no foe unforgiven. 

These are first requisites — nor if you're wise 

The humble rules which health demands despise — = 

In active exercise the day employ 

If usefully — 'twill give a zest to joy — - 

Haply, some wretch, by confidence, betray'd, 

Or friend, or country, may demand thy aid, 

E'en, should no business urge — no duty call, 

Thy health commands ; and, health is all in all ; 

But of intemp'rance, chiefly, cautious keep, 

Foul fiend ! that desolates the reign of sleep ; 

All else were vain if thou but err in this, 

Nor days of joy, expect, nor nights, of bliss. 

But where approving thoughts— a cheerful mind 

To ternp'rance — exercise — their aid have joined 



J40 BETTER TO BE. 

Then — tho' all day, the wily, world may vex ; 
Tho' fools may tire and cank'ring cares perplex 
The night shall recompense thee — balmy sleep 
Thy senses in her Lethean dews shall steep, 
But joy shall wake — How wonderful is this ! 
Unsconcious — save to consciousness of bliss * 
For thee her fairest forms shall fancy spread, 
And sweet illusions hover round thy head ! 
An ever-blooming Eden shall appear, 
And May-flowers blossom, thro' the joyful year J 
Such are thejoys — entire — or in degree 
Sleep sheds on all, who are, what they should be. 

O death last, tho' not least of human friends, 
Thy succour, God ! to man, in mercy sends ! 
Thou com'st, when dire disease, and piercing pain 
Or fancy's phantoms turn the phrensi'd brain ! 
When friends, and fortune can no more assuage 
Life's last disease— incurable old age ! 
Thou com'st, and may it e'er the good betide, 
With hope — sweet smiling Cherub — by thy side, 
Who, lit by rays, from blessings here bestow'd 
Points, to the humble heart, the mercy seat of God- 



HXTOTOWt^* 



The Authorof " BETTER TO BE," had intended tooc- 
cnpy a few of the following pages with Notes, on particular 
passages of the Poem, but his views, fortunately, perhaps for 
his readers, were defeated by a fire which destroyed his 
dwelling, and with other articles of more importance, his 
books and papers. If he, really, considered Notes on his 
Poem of much moment he could still furnish them with a 
little trouble, but he has too humble an opinion of the merits 
of his performance, arid too faint a hope of its success to 
engage in what he considers as not absolutely necessary, 
however little it might cost him. His Poem has progres- 
sed thus far under the most unfavorable auspices. It has 
been two years since it was announced for publication, and 
none but himself and the Printer has expressed a wish that 
it should emanate from the press. He is so far from being 
able to boast that he was urged to its publication by the so- 
licit ali on of friends, that his have uniformly employed the 



POSTSCRIPT. 14t> 

refrigerating system- 5 nor did his attempts at obtaining 
public patronage succeed any better, and he is compelled to 
own that he has met with nothing but a tacit expression of 
disapprobation from all — he will except a very few* 

But there is a compensation attendant on every evil — 
those who have nothing to lose have nothing to fear — he y 
therefore, invites, he owns, not without a gleam of trem^ 
bling hope, the decision of candid criticism merely as re- 
lates to the object of his poem : for he has reason to be- 
lieve, that he has chosen so unpopulor a subject — (" Let 
us all be uuhappy together" is the prevailing sentiment,) 
that it will be consigned to oblivion unread, unless those 
literary censors, so dreaded by the sanguine Author, for 
those who soar highest fear most, pronounce a favorable 
decision : or if, peradventure, the reverse, or, what is still 
worst of all — they too should pass it by in silence. " He 
would be but where he was" and he would still have in 
reservation that reflected pleasure, which we all ought to 
indulge, of having contributed to the gratification of his 
friends, in the fulfilment of their predictions. 

The objects of his notes were to illustrate some positions 
lie had assumed, and to enforce, and support them by re- 
spectable authorities ; such as Paley, for instance, as he 
believes it is, pretty generally, a sentiment, that what he sanc- 
tions cannot be wrong ; yet, he believes, that many pious^ 
well meaning folks consider it as heterodoxical to say that 
it is " Beter to Be" as to assert that £i ; whatever is is 
right" they are both predicated on the assumption that 
whatever emanates from God, whether it relates to the 



144 POSTSCRIPT. 

moral, or physical World must be a right f or, in other 
words, "Better to Be." 

There are a fevs passages in his Poem that call on him 
for explanation for his own sake. He wouldbeaPlageristif 
he did not acknowledge that in two instances he has trans- 
fused the sentiments of Gss'.an Ci the tale of other times 75 
into several succeeding lines; and he lias taken the same 
liberty with two passages of the Economy of Human Life, 
If there are any other instances of borrowing, unacknowl- 
edged (except mere phrases, consisting of a combination 
of two or three words, which no Author can claim an ex- 
clusive right to) he is unconscious of the fact, and must have 
been occasioned by his having mistaken reminiscence for 
invention. There are passages in the Poem that demand 
explanation in another point of view. It is not true that 
C( the Frenchman" as stated in the 2d Book was released 
from the Bastile by the Populace at the time of its demoli- 
tion 5 nor that his name was De Alvas ; it was the act of 
Lewis the XVI. on his accession, and demanded for him, 
a better fate. He made his statement from recollection, 
which he has since found was erroneous. 

Of the Personages alluded to in the Poem with the ex- 
ception of two, he conceives he could communicate no in- 
formation that is not generally known. Godfrey, the Po- 
et, mentioned Book IV, page 81, is one of those who he 
believes will not be recognised by the general reader. He 
laments that it should be so. He was son of Thomas Godfry 
of Philadelphia — the unknown, but the ought-to-be celebra- 
ted inventor of the Quadrant, improperly called Hadley's. 



^POSTSCRIPT. 145 

the first Nautical instrument, if we except the Mariner's 
Compass, that the world is in possession of. The writer 
of thrs may aver that the fact of Godfry's being the inven > 
tor of the Quadrant in question, comes within his personal 
knowledge. He had in his possession one of the first rude 
specimens of the Instrument, a large unwieldly machine., 
resembling, in nothing, those at present in use but in prin- 
ciple, which he had from his father who was cotemporary 
with the inventor. 

A volume of Poems by the younger Godfry was publish- 
ed in Philadelphia. He was an officer in the British army 
20 or 30 years before the Revolution, and died in South 
Carolina in his 28th year, to the best of his (the writer's) 
recollection $ but it is now about 50 years since he saw his 
Biography or his Poems. 

" And James, who bade my unfledged Muse aspire, 
Who knew, himself, to touch the tuneful lyre." 

Book VI. page 138. 

Is the other person that he supposes the reader may not be 
acquainted with, and it might be improper to designate him 
even by giving his whole name, as he hopes he is now liv- 
ing ; suffice it to say he was one of his earliest friends.— 
It is something to be able to add with truth, that a separa- 
tion of more than forty years, has not effaced the remem- 
brance, nor wholl} extinguished the pleasure he once en- 
joyed in his society. 

Candour obliges him to acknowledge, that the magni- 
tude of the Typographical Errata is chiefly attributable to 



146 POSTSCRIPT 

himself, and not to the printer, as he did not, indeed could 
not, from residing several miles from the office, see the 
proofs regularly, to correct them, which he had undertaken 
to do. He regrets, particularly, the erroneous punctua- 
tion from the same cause. 



THE POOR, THE RICH, AND JUPITE&. 

A FABLE, 

The Poor — a discontented crew, 
Incited by a factious few, 
True Radicals — in numbers strong.. 
And, certes, radically wrong — 
Held a town-meeting, to debate 
On human life's unequal state. 
After much jargon, pro and coo. 
At length it was agreed upon 
They should prefer, with due submission 
To Jupiter a joint Petition— 
And humbly begg'd he'd have the grace 
To take some pity on their case ; 
That, from the cradle to the tomb, 
Hard poverty had been their doom ! 
Yet said,, that they might pass it over 



A FABLE, &C, 149 

If others did not live in clover ! 
That, lowly as might be their lot 
Content would smile within their cot, 
Did not the villa's proud array 
Such opulence and wealth display ! 
And own'd they did not care so much 
That they were poor as others rich : 
They, therefore, hop'd he'd not delay 
Them, in their turn, to shew fair play ; 
And make — in spite of their wry faces — 
The rich, and them to change their places * 

Counter petitions from the Rich 
Were straight preferr'd with great dispatch 
In which they stated, they'd no doubt 
The Poor's Petition he'd throw out — 
Or else their schemes of reformation 
Would topsy-turvy turn the nation ; 
For should success their efforts crown, 
The world they'd soon turn upside down I 



150 A FABLK, &£. 

Great Jupiter's superior mind 
Was equally to both iiielin'd : 
And only at their folly smil'd, 
As parents at a fro ward child,. 
He bids both parties to appear, 
That his decision they might hear — 
Appoints the day, and names the place, 
And summons the whole human race. 

We stop not to relate how long 
Collecting were this mingled throng. 
Suppose them met—and Jupiter 
Presiding as great arbiter!; 
Mercury — attendant in his train — 
His scales hung by a golden chain, 
He bade to bring — to try, we deem, 
Which scale would haply kick the beam, 
Ghar.g'd with its different burthen, each 
In this, the Poor— in that, the Ricrn 
These scales which erst he did employ 
T^ weigh the fates of Greece and Troy;. 



Xo common pair of scales were they 

Bodies inert and gross to weigh ; 

But, as that Balance* artists know 

Specific properties will show — 

$o these would give tli 3 exact alloy 

Of grief that mingles with our joy. 

The scales are filPd — at signal given 

Are lifted — and they vibrate — even ! 

A secret wonder fiiPd each breast ! 

Are all men wretched — or all blest f 

But soon, to solve the parodox, 

Pandora comes, and brings her boxc 

Fill'd with malignant beings, rife 

With all the ills that darken life ! 

But haply midst this motley group 

One cherub smil'd — heart-soothing Hope* 

The lid was lifted — and out flew 

Each ill that mankind ever knew — 

War, Pestilence, and Floods, and Fire! 

Fierce Hurricanes, and Earthquakes dire f 

* Hydrostatic Balance 



152 A FABLE, &C. 

Disease, Remorse, with cup of Gall, 
And Fancied Evils — worst of all — 
In black array, — this host profound. 
Led on bv Fear, the Rich surround : 
The earth assum'd a sombre hue 
At her approach — a vapour blue 
Around a gloomy horror sheds ! 
The flowers wither as she treads ! — 
With screech-owl voice she silence broke 
And 'gan her dismal strains to croak. 

(; Hear, ye Rich, the voice of Fear- 
Hear, and tremble as ye hear ! 
What are honors—what is wealth? 
What ambition — what is health ? 
Evanescent as a dream — 
Transient as the lightning's gleam! 
Fell disease may blast your joy — 
Tempests may your store destroy — 
Foes may chase you — friends betray — 
Or sycophants^ — still worse than they : 



A FABLE, feci 1.5? 

War your persons nmy enthral, 

Earthquakes swallow up your all y rc : 

Death stands o'er you with his dart ? 

Ready to transfix your heart! — 

But yon raggamuffin crew, 

What have I with them to do ? 

They have nothing left to lose — 

They may do whate'er they choose y 

I consign them o'er to Hope 

Their credulity to dupe." 

Want) and her train of sorrows sore,,- " 
Instinctively approach the Poor — 
Butj lo ! as wont, at Sorrow's heels 
Sweet Hope her radiant form reveals ! 
Fair as the rosy blushing morn, 
Bright as the dew-bespangled thorn- 
She thus address'd the list'ning throng. 
Who on her honey'd accents hung : 

" Mortals but expect from me 
Promise of felicity™ 



154 A EABLE, &C. 

But ye favor'd, happy few, 
What are promises to you ? 
Owning life's realities, 
Can you airy visions prize ? 
Of life's choicest gifts possess'd, 
Your's the fault, if your'rc not blest. 
But for you, who sorrow feel 
At the foot of Fortune's wheel, 
You my real vot'ries are— 
You, alone, my favours share ; 
You to Fancy may give scope, 
Feel the luxury of hope, 
Free from fear, that saddens all, 
You may rise— but cannot fall" 

Once more the God the Scales suspended- 
Oepress'd by Fear, the Rich descended ! 
The Poor mount up — by Hope elate, 
Nor envy more the Rich or Great. 
But Poverty, with Hope, prefer, 
To Riches, when allied to Fear ; 



TftE TEAR OF PITT. tdb 

And to withdraw — they ask permission 
Of Jupiter — their late Petition. 



H$$t 



THE TEAR OF PITY 



Say dear Aspasia, whence that sigh, 
That tear which might a Stoic move ? 

Can sorrow wet so bright an eye, 

Or wound that bosom, meant for love ? 

Has some false swain, with guileful art, 
Stolen from thy breast, its peace away ; 

Deceiv'd thy too believing heart ; 
Left thee, to hopeless love a prey D 



k5fr THE TEAR OF PITT. 

Or does some youth, with bootless love, 
Pursue that heart, which long has flowji 

Yet may thy breast compassion move, 
The tear of pity's still thy own. 

And is it pity's gentle power, 

That makes the crystal drops to 9ow ; : 
And is the sympathetic shower 

A tribute to another's woe ? 

The lilly, steep'd in morning dew, 
The flow'ry landscape's various dye. 

Are not so lovely to the view, 
As pity's tear in beauty's eye. 

Happy the sharer of thy heart ; 

Happy that heart to pity given ; 
Pity can sooth each earth-born smart : 

,A tear can wing the soul to Heaven 






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